Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 What is the Electronic Health Record?
A The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a new computer-based system adopted by the NHS organisations in Wirral. It stores your health records 'electronically', which allows doctors and other health professionals to access up-to-date information about you and your health.
Q2 What information is stored in the EHR?
A The EHR stores basic information about you such as your name, date of birth, address and your GP details. It also holds details of any times that you’ve been seen by one of the Wirral hospitals: when you were seen, what was wrong with you, what treatment you were given, etc.. The system also holds the results of any lab tests and x-rays you’ve had.
Q3 Who has access to the EHR?
A Only those doctors and health professionals who are involved in your care.
Q4 How will the information be used?
A Purely in order to assist doctors and other health professionals when they are treating you.
Q5 Will sensitive details of my medical history be held on the EHR?
A Yes. A summary of your medical history will be held on the EHR and this may include sensitive information.
Q6 Are any measures in place to keep my information confidential?
A Yes, there are stringent security features within the new computer system. The NHS staff who use the EHR are given particular levels of access and can only see those parts of your record which are relevant to the kind of treatment they are giving you. In addition, all staff have to abide by a strict Code of Conduct on Confidentiality.
Q7 Could the EHR benefit me if I became seriously ill?
A Yes. You may be involved in a serious accident or become so ill that you may not be able to provide vital information about yourself. Doctors can benefit enormously from knowing that you are diabetic, taking medication or have an allergy to certain drugs, for example. If they don’t have this information, they may not be able to treat you quickly.
Q8 Who inputs all the information into the EHR?
A It’s all done automatically. Every twenty-four hours the new system gathers information from the various existing computer systems used by the Wirral NHS organisations.
