National Record Locator (NRL)

The National Record Locator (NRL) is an NHS service that helps health professionals find and access patient information held in local systems across England. Instead of creating duplicate records, NRL points to the original source, ensuring access to the most up-to-date data.

How it works:

• Stores and publishes ‘pointers’ to patient data in health systems.
• Allows users to look up where relevant patient information is held and retrieve it directly.
• Works like an index for health records.

Benefits for pharmacy teams:

• Reduces duplication of records.
• Supports safer, more informed care by enabling access to accurate information.
• Can integrate with services like the NHS Booking and Referral Standard (BaRS) to link to booking, referral, and appointment details.

Current use:

• NRL already points to mental health crisis plans and end-of-life care plans.
• Integration with Shared Care Record providers is being explored.
• NRL information has started to appear in the National Care Records Service (NCRS) portal.

Find out more:

• NRL (NHS guidance)

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For more information on this topic please email it@cpe.org.uk