Patients are set to get more access to records

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm predicted that a more networked health service will bring huge benefits for patients.

Scotland's new eHealth Programme Board met for the first time on Monday.

The board is seeking to develop patient information systems, IT infrastructure and put eHealth into practice across Scotland.

Mr Chisholm, who chaired the meeting, said: "We firmly believe that the development of eHealth will make the health service more user friendly for patients, as well as supporting their needs and giving them power and influence.

Greater access

"Part of this commitment was to deliver an Integrated Care Record (ICR) managed jointly by patients and professional NHS staff.

"ICR will enable greater patient involvement in their own care, quicker exchange of information between professionals and quicker access to patient records.

"Patients may also be able to benefit from IT through the building up of electronic links between GP practices and hospitals."

Mr Chisholm wants to develop trust in the system

Currently 500 Scottish GP practices - about half the total - have online access from consulting rooms to results of tests sent to hospital laboratories.

Mr Chisholm wants to see all practices benefiting from this technology.

He said NHS Scotland's website will offer more information by asking patients and carers to make sure it meets their needs for a single "gateway" to trusted health and advice information.

Mr Chisholm added: "All those present have a lot to digest over the coming months and future meetings will be used to further develop ways of making eHealth an integral part of NHS Scotland and using it to improve patient care across the country."