The Core Information Standard defines a set of information which should be common to most systems and would be a merge of records drawn from different settings. It sets out what information should be shared between organisations and geographies and could be used to populate shared care records. The expectation is that this information would be read only, at least initially. 

The standard will enable health and care professionals to: 

• view a consolidated medication record

• run algorithms where there may be gaps in care

• identify individuals at risk

• proactively notify other health and care professionals.

Local implementations will need to define different ‘views’ in their shared care record of the information for different professionals and other users, including people who use services, and local use cases based on the information governance framework which will be published by NHS England.

These views should define what information is needed by a professional (or a person) in particular circumstances. How the information is presented to professionals and people in a shared care record will be dependent on the local systems in place, but it should be presented in such a way as to provide maximum benefit for different users (in different roles) in each given use case.

A view of a shared care record conformant with the Core Information Standard has been approved as appropriate and complementary for professionals working in pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, ambulance and community services. The use of a national common core information standard across all services will complement the introduction and expansion of local ICS shared care record developments.