Digital social care records (DSCR) are an essential part of the government’s landmark ambition to develop a single patient record as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.
The single patient record, which is being designed to national security standards, puts patients’ data and information in one place, securely recording their medical history and needs that can be viewed by the appropriate health professionals across the system.
They also allow care plans – which set out people’s care needs and required medications – to be completed and signed off in 3 days instead of 7, and for them to be reviewed in half an hour instead of 4 hours.
In this Government announcement, it points out 4 in 5 (80%) care providers now use DSCRs, helping almost 90% of people who draw on care.
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said:
This government is driving digital innovation, and digital care records are making a major difference for people drawing on care and their carers – with the number of care providers using them doubling from 40% to 80%, including a meaningful increase since July 2024.
A one-stop shop for a person’s care information – securely available to carers – cuts paperwork, helps reduce errors and gives carers more time to care.
As we shift more care out of hospital and into the community, digital transformation is critical to ensure we create a co-ordinated system of social care and primary care.
The government is shifting more care out of hospitals and into the community by delivering neighbourhood health services nationwide to bring together primary care, community care and social care teams.
Commenting on the announcement, Professor Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of our member National Care Forum, said:
The ability to increase the rate of digital adoption across such a broad range of organisations, in such a broad range of settings within such a short time frame is a testament to everyone involved in the delivery of social care.
This news reflects years of hard work and determination by organisations and people who are committed to ensuring that everyone who receives care and support is not left behind and excluded from the opportunities that digital transformation presents.
This is just the beginning of the digital potential for social care, and I look forward to the government working in partnership with the sector to build on the digital and data foundations this vital initiative has secured.
Read the Government’s full press release here.
