Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether appropriately regulated independent healthcare providers will be able to access relevant patient information through the single patient record when providing direct care to a patient; and if so, what criteria such providers will be required to meet to obtain access.

It is fully intended that independent providers will be part of the Single Patient Record in respect of both NHS and privately funded services with the aim of providing effective, joined-up care. Detailed access arrangements will be set through regulations and the Single Patient Record information-governance framework. Access will require an appropriate legal basis and will be limited according to the professional's role and care relationship.