National Record Locator: Find What Matters, When It Matters
What is the National Record Locator?
NHS England's National Record Locator (NRL) enables health and social care teams to access patient information, such as end-of-life plans and ReSPECT forms, from outside their area.
This is particularly useful when a person is away from home on holiday or when an Ambulance Trust serves a large region spanning multiple Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
How Graphnet Health Connects with the NRL
Graphnet’s Shared Care platform is fully accredited to operate with the NRL. Documents held within the Shared Care Record can be securely accessed by organisations that do not use Graphnet, extending the reach of critical information and removing the need for costly, complex third-party interfaces.
The solution can be configured to automatically notify the NRL when specific document types – such as ReSPECT plans or End of Life care documents – are generated. This ensures that care teams across different settings can access vital patient information in real time, supporting safer and more joined-up care.
How Does the NRL Work?
The seamless integration between Graphnet Shared Care and the NRL provides care teams with essential patient information. Here’s how it works:
1. Generate a Pointer: When a care plan (such as a ReSPECT form, End of Life plan, or Contingency plan) is created in the Graphnet Shared Care Record, a secure pointer is automatically generated. This pointer links directly to the source document, ensuring all security protocols are upheld.
2. Search for a Patient: The NRL consumer (for example, an ambulance service or out-of-hours provider) searches for the patient in the NRL and views the available pointers. By selecting a pointer, they can open the document stored in Graphnet without the need to export or transfer files. The NRL is automatically updated whenever documents are amended, ensuring only the latest version is available.
3. Access the Document: Once a pointer is selected, the consumer gains direct access to the live document within Graphnet’s Shared Care Record. This guarantees that the information is both current and secure. If a document is removed from Graphnet, this change is immediately reflected in the NRL.
Real-World Impact of the NRL
Connecting Graphnet’s Shared Care Record with the NRL turns data sharing into tangible improvements in care. This approach delivers significant benefits for both professionals and patients, including:
- Critical information for urgent care: Out-of-hours service providers gain immediate access to essential details that might otherwise be missed.
- Cross-boundary visibility: Care teams can view a patient’s records even if they are admitted in another part of the country.
- Improved patient experience: Patients no longer need to repeat their medical history when moving between teams.
- Time & cost savings: Health and social care teams can quickly direct patients to the right services, improving efficiency and outcomes.
Turn Data into Better Outcomes
Ready to start harnessing the power of seamless data feeds and national integration? Get in touch today to see how Graphnet can help you deliver safer, smarter, and more joined-up care.
