One of the first local authority members of staff to use the Dorset Care Record believes the system provides important information about the safety and welfare of people receiving treatment in the county.
Julie Phillips, senior service support officer at Dorset Council’s Purbeck local office, said she had been one of the first DCR early adopters:
“I use if for anything and everything, particularly when I can’t find the information needed in Mosaic (adult services information system) or from hospital records. It allows me to see if the patient is safe and also if information has changed since I last looked at the person’s GP (Summary Care Record).”
Commenting on the DCR’s ease of use, Julie said: “It’s fine. I have no problem using it – in fact it’s really very intuitive.”
She said some local authority staff were still afraid to use the DCR due to concerns about breaching patient confidentiality legislation. “I was a bit concerned when I started but the DCR’s privacy officer came over to give us a talk, which was extremely reassuring.
“My key message is don’t be frightened of it. And if you, then speak to the privacy officer.”
Dorset Council, which is the lead Dorset Care Record partner, has been allocated a total of 1,200 licences for users.