Driving Digital Transformation Across Health and Care
The Single Patient Record is a key part of the wider digital transformation taking place across the NHS and social care sector. As services become increasingly interconnected, the ability to securely share information between organisations is essential to delivering efficient, person-centred care. The SPR will help break down information silos, enabling professionals from different disciplines and organisations to work from a shared understanding of a patient’s needs, preferences, and care history.
Putting Patients at the Centre of Care
At the heart of the Single Patient Record is a commitment to improving the patient experience. Patients often receive care from multiple providers throughout their lives, and repeating the same information at every appointment can be frustrating and time-consuming. By creating a more complete and accessible record, the SPR will help ensure that care teams have the information they need to provide more personalised support, while giving patients greater confidence that their health information is being used effectively to support their care journey.
The Single Patient Record (SPR) is a major step forward in the digital transformation of health and care services. Designed to bring together a patient’s health and care information into one secure, accessible digital record, the SPR will help healthcare professionals deliver safer, faster, and more coordinated care.
By providing authorised NHS and social care professionals with timely access to relevant patient information, the SPR aims to reduce duplication, improve decision-making, and enhance the overall patient experience.
What is the Single Patient Record?
The Single Patient Record is a unified digital record that combines information from different healthcare and care settings into one secure platform. Rather than information being stored separately across multiple systems, the SPR will create a more complete picture of a person’s health and care journey.
This will enable clinicians, care teams, and other authorised professionals to access the information they need when they need it, supporting better communication and more joined-up care across organisations.
Benefits for Patients and Professionals
The SPR is expected to deliver a range of benefits, including:
- Improved patient safety through better access to accurate information.
- Faster decision-making and reduced delays in treatment.
- More coordinated care across NHS and social care services.
- Reduced duplication of tests, assessments, and administrative processes.
- A more seamless experience for patients who receive care from multiple organisations.
By ensuring that healthcare professionals have access to relevant information at the point of care, the SPR will help support more informed clinical decisions and improve outcomes for patients.
Financial Benefits
The potential financial benefits of the Single Patient Record are currently being assessed. Figures outlining the anticipated economic impact and efficiencies generated by the SPR programme will be published during the week commencing 1 June 2026.
These findings will help demonstrate how digital innovation can contribute to both improved patient care and more sustainable healthcare services.
Key Areas of Information
The SPR programme provides information across six key areas:
1. Learn About the Single Patient Record
An overview of what the SPR is, why it is being developed, and how it will support health and care services.
2. Information for NHS and Social Care Professionals
Guidance and resources for healthcare professionals who will use the system as part of their day-to-day work.
3. Security and Privacy
Details of the safeguards in place to protect patient information, maintain confidentiality, and ensure compliance with data protection requirements.
4. Progress to Date
Updates on programme milestones, implementation activity, and achievements made so far.
5. Real-Life Experiences and Insights
Stories, case studies, and feedback from healthcare professionals, patients, and organisations involved in the programme.
6. Contact Us
Information on how to get in touch with the SPR team for enquiries, feedback, or further information.
Looking Ahead
The Single Patient Record represents an important investment in the future of health and social care. By connecting information across services and organisations, it will support a more integrated approach to care delivery, helping professionals work together more effectively while improving the experience and outcomes for patients.
As development continues, ongoing engagement with healthcare professionals, patients, and partner organisations will remain central to ensuring the SPR meets the needs of those who use it and delivers lasting benefits across the health and care system.