Overview
A Summary Care Record (SCR) is an electronic record created from a patient's GP medical records in England, containing essential health information that helps MedExpress's clinical team make safe and informed prescribing decisions. This article explains what an SCR contains, why and when MedExpress accesses it, and how to give or withdraw consent.
Use this article when you want to:
Understand what a Summary Care Record (SCR) is and what it contains
Find out why and when MedExpress's clinical team accesses your SCR
Learn how to give consent for SCR access, or opt out
What Is a Summary Care Record (SCR)?
A Summary Care Record (SCR) is an electronic record created from a patient's GP medical records in England. It contains essential health information that helps healthcare professionals make safe and informed clinical decisions.
An SCR typically includes:
Current medications
Allergies
Adverse reactions
Key medical conditions
An SCR does not contain a patient's full medical history.
Why Does MedExpress Request Access to My SCR?
Access to your SCR allows MedExpress's clinical team to prescribe treatments safely and in line with NHS safety standards. It supports faster and more accurate clinical decisions, particularly when additional confirmation is needed to ensure a treatment is appropriate for you.
Requesting SCR access helps MedExpress:
Verify that a prescribed treatment is clinically suitable for you
Check for potential risks, such as allergies or interactions
Maintain patient safety and regulatory compliance
When Is My SCR Accessed?
Your SCR is not accessed routinely for every patient. It's only viewed when MedExpress's clinicians need further information to confirm that a treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
Access to your SCR is:
Limited to authorised, registered healthcare professionals
Restricted to the duration of your care with MedExpress
Used only when clinically necessary
How Does MedExpress Protect My Privacy When Accessing My SCR?
MedExpress does not store your Summary Care Record on its systems. It can only be viewed securely by the clinicians responsible for your care.
How Do I Give Consent for SCR Access, or Opt Out?
You must give consent for MedExpress to access your SCR in order to continue using MedExpress's service. You can give this consent in one of two ways:
At the point of ordering: tick the consent box during the ordering process. This allows MedExpress's clinical team to access your SCR, if needed, to make sure your treatment is safe and appropriate.
After placing your order: if you didn't give consent while ordering, you can still give it later by sending written confirmation via email. Once MedExpress receives your written consent, its pharmacy team will arrange the steps needed to support the clinical review of your treatment.
If you change your mind after giving consent, you can opt out at any time by contacting MedExpress's Customer Care team.
What Happens If I Don't Have an SCR?
To ensure safe prescribing for patients who don't have a Summary Care Record — particularly those registered with a GP in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland — MedExpress's clinical team may ask you to book a video consultation. This supports the clinical team's decision-making where no SCR is available.
MedExpress's clinical team will send you a Calendly booking link directly, along with instructions on how to book. The appointment lasts approximately 15 minutes and takes place via Google Meet. Once you've booked, you'll receive a confirmation email, and the meeting will appear in your Google Calendar.
If you have any issues with your booking link, contact MedExpress's Customer Care team, who can look into this on your behalf.