GP Connect: Update Record

What is GP Connect?

GP Connect (also known as NHS Direct Care APIs) allows healthcare IT systems to share and view patient information safely.

It currently includes three main functions:

• Update Record – sends pharmacy consultation details to the GP record;
• Access Record – lets authorised staff view GP-held patient records; and
• Appointment management – supports booking and managing appointments.

What is included as part of GP Connect: Structured?

For supported services, structured updates can include:

• patient and GP practice details;
• date and time of consultation;
• pharmacy and clinician details;
• presenting complaint and clinical summary;
• observations (e.g. blood pressure or temperature);
• pregnancy status;
• medicine supplied or reason for no supply;
• advice given to the patient; and
• any signposting information.

What is not sent?

• Urgent requests or referrals: these must still be handled directly using local processes, such as nhs.net or telephone;
• Safeguarding concerns: follow your local safeguarding procedures instead.

Consent for contraception consultations

For the Pharmacy Contraception Service:

• patients can choose not to share information with their GP;
• you must record patient consent before sending details; and
• you should explain that information may be visible in the NHS App and other services.

If a patient does not consent, record this clearly in your pharmacy system.

Use of standards

Update Record uses national digital standards, including:

• the Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB) Community Pharmacy Data Standard; and
• SNOMED CT codes recommended by NHS England.

This helps ensure information is clear, consistent and usable across systems.

Key points to know

1. Automatic transfer of information
   You can send structured consultation updates directly to GP systems without using nhs.net, letters or phone calls.
2. Faster updates to patient records
   Information is added to GP records more quickly, helping improve patient safety and continuity of care.
3. Patient visibility
   Patients and carers may be able to see this information in the NHS App or other services.
4. Urgent communication is unchanged
   Continue to use your usual methods (e.g. nhs.net or phone) for urgent matters.
5. Message failures must be managed
   If a message fails, you will need to resend the information using alternative methods, such as nhs.net.

Update Record sends consultation details in a structured format directly into GP systems.

This means:

• less manual work for GP practices;
• no need to retype information from emails or PDFs; and
• fewer transcription errors.

The information you send is similar to what was previously shared via nhs.net, but it is now easier and quicker for practices to process.

You should assume that any information sent:

• will be visible to GP practices and other healthcare professionals; and
• may also be visible to patients and authorised carers.

Only include information that is appropriate to share more widely.

For sensitive situations (e.g. safeguarding concerns or confidentiality requests), you should:

• use nhs.net or other local processes instead; and
• clearly document the reason in your pharmacy record.

For example:

• a patient under 16 receiving contraception advice; or
• a patient who does not want their GP informed.

Update Record is for routine updates only.

If urgent action is needed:

• contact the GP practice directly using your usual process (e.g. nhs.net or telephone).

Messages may fail if:

• the patient is not registered with a GP;
• there is a system error; or
• the GP practice has not enabled Update Record.

If this happens:

• your IT system supplier should notify you;
• you should resend the information using nhs.net; and
• follow your supplier’s guidance to resolve the issue.

You can use NHS Service Finder to locate GP contact details if needed.

For more information about using GP Connect and your responsibilities as a data controller, visit our GP Connect webpage and see the ‘Data’ section.

Here’s the current rollout status for prescribing IT systems supporting Update Record:

Pharmacy system statuses, in regards to: Pharmacy First service (minor illness and clinical pathways), Hypertension Case Finding, and Pharmacy Contraception Service:

Community Pharmacy England comments on the rollout

“The GP Connect Update Record is a welcome and crucial ongoing development, supported by Community Pharmacy England. Interoperability plays a critical role in patient safety and reducing the workload for healthcare staff.”