Parents can opt children out of SCR

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Concerned parents can ensure their children do not have a summary care record (SCR) created, a minister has admitted.

In a parliamentary written answer, health minister Mike O'Brien said policy permits parents of children considered "not yet competent" to decide if they want their child entered onto the database.

"The decision about whether or not to create a summary care record for a child is made by the child's general practitioner, informed by the parent's wishes, acting in the best interests of the child," he said.

"A small number of children have not been provided with a summary care record following parental requests."

O'Brien added that the same approach is being considered by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) in the context of their safeguarding children efforts and the ContactPoint database.