Efforts to improve patient experience and ensure seamless continuity of care are advancing through the initiation of a new pilot focused on expanding access to the National Care Records Service (NCRS).

Led by the North of England Commissioning Support Unit (NECS) on behalf of the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC) and the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB), the project seeks to transform care delivery across optometry and dentistry.

Building on scoping efforts

This pilot builds on work conducted by NECS that underscored the potential benefits of NCRS access for optometry and dentistry providers. Key areas of impact identified include improved access to medication lists, medical conditions, and allergy informationā€”elements critical to delivering timely and accurate patient care.

Pilot kick-off and first steps

The pilot officially launched on 9th January 2025. At the kick-off meeting there was enthusiastic participation from dental and optometry sites across the region. The project has expanded its scope, with additional licenses enabling participation from 13 practices in phase one, providing a broader opportunity to gather valuable insights.

Phase one focus

The pilot’s initial phase is centered on testing and refining processes, technology, and workflows to integrate NCRS access into primary care pathways. This includes assessing the benefits to patient experience and the healthcare workforce, as well as addressing potential barriers like information governance.

A collaborative approach and comprehensive support

The pilot emphasises a collaborative approach, fostering open communication among optometry and dentistry providers, NECS, and the broader NHS. Participants have received detailed training, technical support, and governance plans to ensure smooth implementation. Representatives from participating sites have demonstrated strong commitment to improving patient care through shared access to health records.

Objectives and outcomes

The primary goals of the NCRS pilot include:

  • Enhancing continuity of care.
  • Supporting clinical decision-making.
  • Improving patient safety and service efficiency.

The project also aims to strengthen care coordination by addressing challenges specific to each provider group:

  • Optometry: Reducing time-consuming processes by providing essential patient details, such as medication lists and chronic condition histories.
  • Dentistry: Mitigating fragmented care and inefficiencies by enabling seamless access to diagnostic and medication data.

Expanded reach and next steps

Phase one of the pilot will evaluate the impacts on patient outcomes, workflows, and clinician experiences, with the goal of refining processes for a broader rollout. The inclusion of more dental and optometry sites ensures a comprehensive assessment of NCRS’s potential if access is expanded universally.

As the project progresses, the PCC will continue to share updates and outcomes.