Sunderland first city to connect health data via Great North Care Record

Health and social care services in Sunderland have become the first in the North East and North Cumbria to securely view and share medical information via the Great North Care Record.

Since its launch last year, the Great North Care Record, which is powered by Cerner, has already enabled more than 400 GPs, five NHS trusts and the North East Ambulance Service to share records with frontline staff. These services have begun to securely share information such as medications, hospital visits, referrals and letters, but most recently staff working in adult social care have started to share and view information.

Sunderland City Council is the first local authority in the North East and North Cumbria area to implement the system. This will now link local NHS and adult social care services in Sunderland together as part of the Great North Care Record project.

Emma Anderson, head of therapies at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are delighted to not only be able to access information about the people we care for, but also begin sharing more information with our health colleagues.

“It has been challenging trying to find out information about our clients. For instance, we wouldn’t always know if a client has been admitted to hospital without having to making lots of telephone calls to try and track them down. Having access to this information, with the patient’s permission, means we can be sure we are offering them the most appropriate care.”

The city’s health and social care system already works closely in partnership through All Together Better, Sunderland, an alliance of health and social care providers, local commissioners and the voluntary sector to deliver personalised, proactive and joined-up care for people in Sunderland.

This collaborative approach is already working successfully across Sunderland and has paved the way for the city to be the first in the region to sign up to the Great North Care Record.

The aim is that patient information will be available from all primary care practices, NHS trusts and local authorities across the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System.