Getting started with SCR in community pharmacy

There is a simple process to follow to get started with SCR in your pharmacy. We have split the information so you can find out what you need to do.

1. Check your smartcard

Make sure your smartcard is working. (This is the same smartcard that's used for EPS access.) Put the smartcard in the reader and follow the instructions to check it isn't locked and that you know the PIN. Contact your local Registration Authority (RA) for help with problems, or if you don't have a smartcard.

2. Consider completion of the optional online CPPE training

Complete the CPPE e-learning SCR module and assessment to get a certificate. NHS England recommend you complete this course.  It is no longer mandated but remains part of the curriculum.

3. Request the Summary Care Record role for your smartcard

Contact your local Registration Authority (RA) to add the Summary Care Record role to your smartcard, for help with problems, or if you don't have a smartcard.

Before contacting your RA please read the following information on qualifying criteria:

1. Fully registered pharmacy professionals with the General Pharmaceutical Council can apply for SCR access.
2. Trainee registered pharmacy professionals with the General Pharmaceutical Council can apply for SCR access.
3. Pharmacy Team members can apply for EPS access only. 

Read more information on Provisional Registration with the GPhC.

We have made some changes to smartcard positions for community pharmacy staff related to 'FFFFF' + SCR. Find out more about these changes.

The registration authority will process this in line with the local organisation's service level agreement.

1. Request the SGP Summary Care Record role for your smartcard

Contact your local Registration Authority (RA) to add the SGP Summary Care Record role to your smartcard, for help with problems, or if you don't have a smartcard.  Your registration authority will process this in line with the local organisation's service level agreement.

2. Complete the online SGP training

SGP training is available on our website.

1. Appoint an SCR Governance Person (SGP), (formerly known as a privacy officer)

Every organisation needs to appoint at least one member of staff to be the SGP. We recommend a minimum of two people are appointed.

2. Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering SCR use and SGP monitoring tasks

Things to consider:

Information and clinical governance

SCR must only be used for providing direct clinical care. Access in any other scenario would be in breach of the Data Protection Act and pharmacy professional codes, which could result in the application of any associated penalties.
Appropriate governance procedures must be in place to assure appropriate access to SCR.

The site must determine and document its approach for ensuring SCR is accessed appropriately, such as updating the Information Governance policy or Standard Operating Procedures.

Business change

The decision on whether to access SCR must be made on a case by case basis, based on the patient’s needs at that time, with the pharmacist or pharmacy technician applying their clinical judgement.

Induction procedures for new members of staff will cover SCR access and include appropriate training.

Patient/Subject Access Requests

The pharmacy contractor and site must be capable of responding appropriately and correctly to any Subject Access Requests or requests associated with the NHS Care Record Guarantee relating to SCR access.

All other SOPs impacted by SCR, such as Flu Vaccination, MURs should be updated at the next opportunity. Download a sample SOP for SCR use document template

3. Check SCR works with your system

(a) Test access to SCR

Once the SCR Role Based Access Codes (RBACs) have been added to your users' smartcards, test access to the spine portal (which provides access to SCR) at each computer. Add the url to the desktop or favourites to make access easier. Then use a test NHS patient number, such as 9990252955, to check everything is working correctly. You can find more test patient numbers below:

• 999 040 2132
• 999 025 2947
• 999 025 2955
• 999 024 3271
• 999 024 0272

(b) Check technical requirements

To use SCR, your system needs to be compliant with the NHS standard system settings, specified in the Warranted Environment Specification This is probably already the case. You, your IT support, or your system supplier can check this. System suppliers should be familiar with the WES and can help to ensure that NHS and other key software can continue to run alongside each other.

(c) Troubleshooting technical requirements

If you are using older versions of software, the system might not be fully compliant. If your system supplier, or a software provider, recommends using settings outside of the WES, you may want to discuss with them whether adjustments can be made so that all your hardware, systems, and software can comply with the WES. Technical issues should be forwarded to your pharmacy system supplier helpdesk.

4. SGP - start routine monitoring of SCR access

Read more on the role of the SGP.

1. Check the access request

Upon receiving a user’s request for positions update to their smartcards, check the Care Identity Service/Care Identity Management, to ensure the user exists on the service.

2. Assign pharmacy position to user

Select from one of the following 5 Community Pharmacy positions that meets the needs of the pharmacy user requesting the update:

1. National Qualified Pharmacist (Multi-Site)
2. National Trainee Pharmacist (Multi-site)
3. National Qualified Pharmacy Technician (Multi-Site)
4. National Trainee Pharmacy Technician (Multi-site)
5. National Pharmacy Team Member (Qualified or Trainee) (Multi-Site)

3. Set position assignment end date

It is the responsibility of the Registration Authority (RA) to decide on the length of the position assignment applied to a user’s profile. The length should be up to a maximum of 3 years.

4. Confirm with user position assignment

Contact the user using your normal communication processes and confirm that the new position assignment has been added to their smartcard.

For technical advice on setting up and accessing SCR, refer to the implementation guidance.

Information for patients.