Devon and Cornwall Care Record (DCCR)
New shared record system for Devon and Cornwall
A new NHS and social care system has been introduced in Devon and Cornwall to improve the way you receive care.
The Devon and Cornwall Care Record is a secure computer system that brings together information about your health and care and presents it as a single record.
Previously, it was difficult to share information about your health and care between different areas of the system.
Now, healthcare staff can see the details held by GP practices, hospitals and other health and care organisations across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Having a more complete view of your medical history helps healthcare professionals identify problems more effectively and make quicker diagnoses. For instance, they can see which allergies you suffer from, and any treatment and medication you have received.
As well as making treatment safer, the care you receive will be more co-ordinated, giving you a smoother journey through the health system.
It also saves staff the time it takes to find information and spares you the frustration of having to answer the same questions or undergo duplicate or unnecessary tests.
Dr John McCormick, GP and Chief Clinical Information Officer at Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The Devon and Cornwall Care Record has the potential to transform the way we care for patients in our region.
“By enabling information to flow more easily between the organisations that provide services, we will produce a more efficient system and improve the experience for patients.
“For example, it means an oncologist treating a patient for cancer in Plymouth can see the same information as their GP in Callington.”
John Garman, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group added: “It’s a common – and justified – grumble from patients that they have to repeat their stories and answer the same questions as they move through the system.
“This programme will go a long way to solving that problem, as well as cutting down on other inefficiencies – like calling patients for tests they’ve already undergone.
“Initially, some organisations will both contribute and use data (including GP practices, acute hospitals and social care providers), while others will just use data.
“However, in time, more and more organisations will come on board, expanding the programme’s reach and impacting the care of increasing numbers of patients.”
