Electronic health records
Published on: 16th July 2013 | Updated on: 25th August 2026
Electronic health records (EHRs) are digital versions of a patient’s medical history. They are increasingly being used across the NHS to support safer, more joined-up care.
Background
Community pharmacies now have more opportunities to view and use EHRs—where the right consent or IG framework is in place. This can help pharmacy teams make better-informed decisions, improve patient safety, and support clinical services.
This page explains how EHRs relate to community pharmacy, what current NHS policy says, and what pharmacy teams need to know.
A growing number of IT suppliers offer integrated EHR solutions. Pharmacy teams should work with their IT supplier to explore available options and ensure systems meet NHS standards.
NHS records guidance sets out:
- those scenarios where records access is appropriate (e.g. in the support of direct care) or never appropriate (access because of curiousity); and
- handling patient queries about records access.
Record systems
Record integrations
Record policy and lists
For more information on this topic please email it@cpe.org.uk
