First reported 28 Nov 2013•Latest report 10 Jun 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures to consolidate, link, flag, transfer, retrieve or provide access to clinically significant patient history and risk information across healthcare services, including information from different NHS Trusts, GP practices, emergency departments and receiving hospitals where the information is needed for safe assessment, treatment or risk management.
Not included
Excludes generic communication, documentation or coordination deficiencies where cross-service clinical history or risk information is not the material unsafe object.
Excludes failures to act on complete and accessible clinical history or risk information when the information-access process itself was reliable.
Excludes condition-specific information systems or pathways, such as allergy, mental-health, oxygen or medication systems, when that named concern provides the more specific supported boundary.
Excludes failures confined to creating, completing or maintaining a record within one service where no cross-service consolidation, transfer or access deficiency is identified.
Excludes non-clinical, administrative or operational information that is not needed for patient assessment, treatment or safety-risk management.
Reports
20
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
20
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
35
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
NHS England8
Department of Health and Social Care7
Care Quality Commission2
Recipient name withheld2
Bedford Hospital South Wing1
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust1
Cornwall Health Limited1
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust1
Dr Simon Chapple1
East Cheshire NHS Trust1
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust1
Holderness Health1
Luton and Dunstable University Hospital1
Milton Keynes University Hospital1
Mr Simon Wright1
Executive non-departmental public body8
Ministerial department7
NHS trust7
Healthcare site3
Health and social care service regulator2
Type not available2
Devolved government1
Health professional body1
Multi-service care provider1
Private limited company1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Lack of a structured cross-team handover from ED to speciality departments
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Gateshead and South Tyneside
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide prompt access to patient medical records across NHS Trusts
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Develop the Red Tape Challenge to improve primary-secondary care communication, interface working, prescribing, records access, interoperability, and process standardisation.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 June 2026.
Action
Introduce a Single Patient Record across England to enable consistent sharing of patient information among relevant health and social care providers from 2028.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 June 2026.
North Yorkshire and York
Concerns raised1
Delays in making electronic patient information accessible to receiving hospital staff
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Explore through digital governance whether electronic patient records can present swallowing or choking risks more rapidly and consistently.
Stated by Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 December 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The ePR upload delay could not reasonably have influenced the choking event because the event occurred after the ePR became available to hospital staff.
Stated by Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Milton Keynes
Concerns raised1
Unreliable access to patients' primary care records in Emergency Departments
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Provide Emergency Department clinicians access to Shared Care Records, GP Connect and Summary Care Records for patient care.
Stated by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Action
Continue working with healthcare partners to ensure necessary patient data sharing occurs for effective treatment.
Stated by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Action
Optimise the eCare record for sharing through the Health Information Exchange.
Stated by Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Action
Establish Health Information Exchange links with providers serving significant numbers of common patients.
Stated by Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Action
Encourage other providers to share more pertinent record content through the Health Information Exchange.
Stated by Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Action
Link Summary Care Record visibility into the Acute Electronic Patient Record front screen when it launches.
Stated by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 August 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Expanding the patient information shared through existing records is outside the Trust’s control.
Stated by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
NHS England regulates the extent of information contained in the Summary Care Record.
Stated by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Existing Summary Care Record visibility and some EMIS access are considered sufficient to mitigate concerns about hospital clinicians’ visibility of primary care records.
Stated by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
East Riding and Hull
Concerns raised1
Failure of GP out-of-hours surgeries to access key GP medical history information after patient consent
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Support greater integration and awareness of record sharing between in-hours and out-of-hours providers.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Work with the Shared Care Records Programme to support wider access to relevant patient information.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Scrutinise providers’ handling of correspondence, clinical coding, information sharing, patient pathways and significant-event learning during inspection and monitoring activity.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Migrate clinical IT from EMIS to TPP SystmOne and enable GP Connect to support consent-based access to medical summaries.
Stated by Holderness HealthStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Highlight the concerns to the Professional Record Standards Body regarding interoperability.
Stated by Royal College of General PractitionersStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
Position
Dictating providers’ computer systems and IT infrastructure is outside CQC’s role and remit.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Decisions about providers’ computer systems and IT infrastructure are a commissioning matter, not under CQC’s direct control.
Stated by Care Quality CommissionRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The remote surgery was not a significant or currently active problem and therefore would not generally appear in GP Connect’s limited summary.
Stated by Holderness HealthDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Making all GP IT systems identical is not possible because government policy promotes plurality among GP IT providers.
Stated by Royal College of General PractitionersDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
NHS England owns the interoperability strategy and GP Connect, so responsibility for this work lies with NHS England.
Stated by Royal College of General PractitionersRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Suffolk
Concerns raised1
Failure of patient handover processes to ensure significant clinical findings are available to receiving clinicians
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Develop IT support linking ambulance and emergency department systems to improve electronic clinical information sharing.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 September 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Implementation and oversight of clinical handover protocols across England are the responsibility of local organisations.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Local process improvements and ambulance information systems provide an adequate response to clinical handover and patient-record concerns.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide clinicians with access to GP records across differing IT systems and geographical boundaries
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Provide the National Care Records Service, including national services that enable authorised staff to access relevant patient information across care settings.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 July 2024.
Action
Implement Summary Care Record access for relevant clinical and discharge staff, including smart cards, training, induction, departmental support and troubleshooting.
Stated by East Cheshire NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 31 July 2024.
Action
Audit Summary Care Record use, access incidents, staff feedback and smart-card support data after implementation.
Stated by East Cheshire NHS TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 31 July 2024.
Action
Strengthen clinical information gathering by prioritising comprehensive patient histories and asking GPs to review older records when relevant information is unavailable.
Stated by East Cheshire NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 July 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
East Cheshire NHS Trust is responsible for responding to concerns about its recording, sharing and access arrangements.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Local Integrated Care Boards are responsible for delivering Shared Care Records.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
NHS England is addressing differing NHS IT systems and GP record access, so the Trust will not address this matter further.
Stated by East Cheshire NHS TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Exeter and Greater Devon
Concerns raised1
Lack of access to temporary GP practice records through the NHS Spine
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Improve information sharing between the detained estate and wider NHS by enabling access to Spine-connected services, including PDS, eRS and GP2GP Transfer.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 12 February 2024.
Action
Provide GP2GP electronic transfer of community GP records into and out of healthcare systems across the adult male and children’s secure estate.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 February 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing temporary-registration and detained-estate information-sharing processes are considered sufficient, subject to consent and direct contact where necessary.
Stated by NHS EnglandExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide psychology clinicians with access to clinical notes across hospitals and county locations
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Enable Adult Community Psychological Services clinicians to access PARIS, MOBIUS, and Health Information Exchange records.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 December 2023.
Action
Embed a clinical information-sharing mechanism through a joint forum incorporating formal handover of required inpatient and community information.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 12 December 2023.
Action
Commission a unified electronic medical records system.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 12 December 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Relevant clinical records are accessible to inpatient and community psychological staff through existing electronic systems and the Health Information Exchange.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
South London
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of GP-held clinical history to accident and emergency departments outside surgery hours or across geographic areas
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes failures to consolidate, link, flag, transfer, retrieve or provide access to clinically significant patient history and risk information across healthcare services, including information from different NHS Trusts, GP practices, emergency departments and receiving hospitals where the information is needed for safe assessment, treatment or risk management.
