IT'S a shake-up the NHS in Dorset is very keen to promote.

But what will the roll-out of the Dorset Care Record mean for you?

Over the next few weeks leaflets, posters and videos informing people about the DCR - the option to have your healthcare details shared with other authorities and organisations - will be available in GP surgeries, libraries, hospitals and local authority buildings.

The materials will provide information about patients' consent options as well as their choices around sharing their records with the health and social care professionals dealing with their care.

The NHS is keen on the move because, they say: "It will bring together information from hospitals, GPs, community teams and local councils, enabling details of a person’s medical or care history – and their needs – to be summarised in the same place."

They say patients will benefit by not having to repeat their story to different professionals, will get 'the right treatment by the right person at the right time' and in the long run will 'aid professionals in managing people’s health care more easily.'

They also insist the information will not be shared with pharmaceutical companies.

Peter Gill, director of informatics at Royal Bournemouth Hospital and DCR Senior Responsible Officer, said it was important that people across Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole looked at the latest information:

“We would like people to find out more about why we need a Dorset Care Record, its benefits and issues such as security and consent so that they will be informed when asked by the person dealing with their care if they are happy to have their records shared.”

*The DCR will be explained at the following roadshows:

February

3rd: Sainsbury’s, South Street, Wareham

5th: The Market, Sturminster Newton

16th: Sainsbury’s, Ludbourne Road, Sherborne

March

3rd: Morrisons, Chiltern Drive, Verwood

More information from dorsetforyou.gov.uk/dorset-care-record