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Ref: 83/08 28 February 2008
Cheshire Project For Older People To Link Up With NHS
A project in Cheshire which helps older people is to be extended to include links to the NHS national patient record.
The Executive today (Thursday) agreed to accept a Government grant to fund the scheme.
Cheshire’s Single Assessment Project involves the County Council and Cheshire Health and Social Care Partnership
Older people need to give their details once and do not have to repeat them again to any group which is helping them including Social Services and the local Primary Care Trusts. Their confidential assessment is kept electronically, and with the person’s consent can be shared by people involved in the partnership assessment.
Now the scheme will include a link to the national NHS patient record. If a person gives consent, their NHS record will be updated and this will allow NHS staff to have the most up to date information when providing individual patient care.
For the time being the NHS link up will just be for older people however there are plans to expand the service to all people over 18 years of age.
The Cheshire Health and Social Care Partnership has already been presented with a national ‘highly commended’ award for its work.
“We are only one of four councils with Social Services responsibilities in England to have been offered this funding” said Executive Member for Adult Social Services Lynn Hardwick.
“Indeed we are the only partnership in the north to have been chosen to take part in this venture, the nearest being the London Borough of Greenwich.
“The goal for the future is for basic details including name, age, address and NHS number to be held on people across the country, which can be accessed by the NHS and by councils who have Social Services responsibilities.
“Our special team continues to be ground-breaking and full evaluation of the project will take place prior to a wider roll-out across the country at a later stage.
“This new system will provide accurate sharing of information which will reduce risks to service users without compromising confidentiality. “
Note To Editors: For more information please contact Senior Manager Performance Alan Allman 01244 973401 and County Councillor Hardwick on 07801 045075, 01244 851200 and 0151 336 7176
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