| If you're wondering what the introduction of the | | | | might fall whilst at their grandparents, and need |
| new NHS electronic medical records means to | | | | medical attention. |
| you, then here's what you need to know about, | | | | 7. As well as notes, images such as X Rays and |
| and how it will affect you. | | | | ultrasounds can also be shared between medical |
| 1. Moving over to an electronic medical record will | | | | locations too. If you have an X Ray whilst away |
| mean that there are no more hand written notes, | | | | with work, your normal doctor or hospital will be |
| and no more "doctor's handwriting" to decipher. | | | | able to obtain the image, without needing to be |
| It's also going to be better for the environment | | | | sent by taxi or courier. This will make things much |
| too, as less paper will be used by the NHS. | | | | easier for all concerned. |
| 2. As each and every electronic medical record will | | | | 8. Your medical information can now be shared |
| be stored on computer, there is no chance of | | | | between dentists and doctors, so that your |
| losing patient notes. They won't be mislaid, or left | | | | doctor will know if you've recently had ay serious |
| out, or not put away properly, as they will be | | | | dental treatment, and vice versa, so that they |
| accessed on computer. | | | | know what medication your are on, or whether |
| 3. There is also no chance of notes getting spoilt | | | | you are allergic to anything. |
| or ripped whilst in transit, or when being taken out | | | | 9. In time, you'll be able to access some of your |
| or put away. | | | | medical information online too. You might want to |
| 4. Doctors and other healthcare professionals will | | | | get the results of tests, without having to make |
| find it easier and quicker to update records | | | | an appointment and take time off work, or |
| immediately, and so will be able to see more | | | | maybe you want to know more about giving up |
| patients during the day, making the NHS even | | | | smoking, or other issues that you can find out |
| more effective. | | | | more about online. |
| 5. As records are updated more frequently, they | | | | 10. If you move and change doctors, then thanks |
| are more up to date. It also means that once a | | | | to electronic medical records, your new doctor will |
| typo is corrected or a change of name or | | | | have instant access to records. Previously, your |
| address is made, it won't need to be changed on | | | | records would have had to be sent to your new |
| many pieces of paper. | | | | surgery, which took time, and was expensive, and |
| 6. One of the main benefits is that records will be | | | | sometimes records got lost. |
| available anywhere, wherever you are seen. If | | | | Now you know more about electronic medical |
| you need to be seen in a different location, then | | | | records, and the benefits they bring, you can |
| the medical staff treating you will know all they | | | | expect an even better service the next time you |
| need to know. You might be taken ill at a | | | | need NHS treatment. |
| conference for work, or one of your children | | | | |