Half of pharmacies in England are now using the Summary Care Record, according to NHS Digital.

A year after rollout began, nearly 6,000 pharmacies are using SCR functionality, more than 20,000 pharmacy professionals have completed online  training, and nearly 90 per cent of community pharmacies have participated in briefing sessions to support implementation. The top 10 community pharmacies for usage are accessing SCR on average 50 times a week.

Mohammed Hussain, programme head for integrated pharmacy at NHS Digital, said: "It is really encouraging that half of community pharmacies now have access to SCR, allowing them to support patients with better informed and tailored care. From April 2017, accessing SCR will also become a NHS England measure under the Quality Payments Scheme for community pharmacy, helping to drive up quality of care in this setting."

Nazam Iqbal, a pharmacist working at Manor Pharmacy in Leigh, said: "The process of setting up the SCR viewer was simple and easy. I can use it when delivering services such as the flu jab, or when an issue arises with the emergency supply of medication. It is an invaluable tool to help pharmacists make a better clinical judgement, with all the relevant information available to them."

For community pharmacies yet to access SCR, including those that have already attended a briefing event, further guidance on completing the implementation and training process is available on the NHS Digital website. Additional SCR briefing events are also being arranged in the New Year for independent pharmacies.