Key Takeaways

• The Dorset Care Record (DCR) had over 175,000 accesses in July 2025, with 10,000 professionals trained to use it since its launch in 2018.
• The DCR has saved £11.6 million in time efficiency benefits for users in 2024/25, primarily by streamlining access to patient information.
• More organizations have integrated with the DCR, enhancing collaboration across health and social care sectors in Dorset.

Dorset Care Record Access Sees Significant Growth

The Dorset Care Record (DCR) has emerged as a vital tool for over 175,000 health and social care professionals, who accessed the platform in July 2025. This uptick in usage is largely attributed to comprehensive training provided to over 10,000 professionals since the DCR’s inception in March 2018.

A significant portion of the DCR’s users come from hospital settings, with University Hospitals Dorset reporting over 100,000 record accesses during the same month. Councillor Steve Robinson, the cabinet portfolio lead for adult social care at Dorset Council, emphasized the DCR’s impact, stating, “Uptake of the DCR has grown substantially in recent times and it is making a huge difference for our residents.”

The DCR’s implementation has been financially beneficial, yielding approximately £11.6 million in time-saving efficiencies in 2024/25, up from £8.7 million the previous year. This savings is attributed to user feedback in an annual survey, which revealed that many professionals are saving more than 30 minutes daily by avoiding unnecessary calls or emails to GPs, as essential information is readily available through the DCR.

The system integrates data from various sources, including hospitals, GPs, community teams, and local councils, creating a centralized record of an individual’s medical and care history. The DCR encompasses key patient information such as health diagnoses, prescribed medications, diagnostic test results, next of kin details, and care plans developed collaboratively between patients and health professionals.

In recent years, the DCR has expanded its reach by onboarding additional organizations, including CHEC Ophthalmology, Coastal Medical Partnership, Oakhaven Hospice, and others. The initiative is managed by Dorset Council and powered by global healthcare company Orion Health. Funding stems from a £7.8 million five-year contract, partially supported by the NHS England Integrated Digital Care Fund and contributions from partner organizations.

Support for the DCR extends beyond local authorities, including cooperation from NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, Dorset County Hospital, Poole Hospital, and other health institutions across the region.

In parallel, a recent analysis released in August 2025 highlighted the Thames Valley and Surrey Care Record’s success, reporting about £17 million savings annually in professional time. This unified care record connects over 375 organizations, including 15 NHS trusts and 316 practices, serving a significant population across Surrey, Frimley, and neighboring counties.

Overall, the DCR not only fosters better patient care through coordinated access to information but also underscores the importance of collaboration among various health and social care providers in delivering efficient and effective services.

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