Switch over from SCRa to NCRS
The National Care Records Service (NCRS) is the improved successor to the Summary Care Record application (SCRa).
- The platform used to authenticate SCRa is an old legacy system that is closing down.
- Switching over to NCRS is quick and simple. With the right software installed on the users’ device, it can be as easy as changing a web link.
- NCRS is built on a new authentication platform that offers greater support for internet first connectivity and additional user authentication methods beyond physical smartcards.
- It provides a quick, secure way to access national patient information to improve clinical decision making and healthcare outcomes and it is free to use.
- NCRS offers multiple access options, such as biometric authentication and smartcards. It's available in clinical, office or mobile environments over the internet, as well as the Health and Social Care Network (HSCN).
- NCRS provides access to patient information for a wider range of health and care professionals.
For digital leaders and organisations
User authentication for NCRS is provided by NHS Care Identity Service 2 (NHS CIS2).
You will need to ensure your networking setup allows access to NHS CIS2 to use NCRS.
The switchover to NCRS is a straightforward task. It can be as simple as updating existing SCRa links on portals with the new NCRS link.
Users will need to have NHS Credential Management and NHS Identity Agent installed on their machine to run NCRS. There is a simple online check to see if they are present on their device.
There should be minimal impact on your users as the services they access via SCRa are not changing, it is simply the interface to access them that will change.
The NCRS interface is user-friendly and meets modern accessibility standards. It has been designed in collaboration with end users.
Users are still able to search for patient NHS numbers using Personal Demographics Service, access patient Summary Care Records, Child Protection information and view Reasonable Adjustments and use the National Record Locator (NRL) to view mental health crisis plans and end of care plans.
NCRS provides access to an increasing number of services and will provide access to Shared Care Records.
All users existing smartcard credentials and access rights will continue to work on NCRS as they have with SCRa.
You can choose to roll out to all users at once or to specific groups if you want to test the roll out.
Switch over today by rolling out the NCRS link to your staff.
For health and care professionals (users)
There should be minimal impact on you when you switch to NCRS, as the services you access via SCRa are not changing it is only the interface to access the services that will change.
All your existing smartcard credentials and access rights will continue to work on NCRS. There are already thousands of health and care staff using NCRS.
Find out more about switching, and view a demo and screen shots on our user guidance page.
If you have any further questions complete the NCRS new interest form.
Further information
The National Care Records Service (NCRS) provides a quick, secure way for health and care workers to access national patient information to improve clinical decision making and healthcare outcomes and it is free to use.
Find and access patient information shared by other health and social care organisations, to support the direct care of a patient.
We offer an integration service for systems suppliers which enables the National Care Records Service to be launched from within their applications.
Last edited: 24 October 2023 10:09 am