The digital tool consolidates essential health information from hospitals, GP practices, mental health, and community services – and soon from social care - to provide care professionals with up-to-date information.

Data from a wide range of organisations is currently being shared, including Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, IC24, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, Provide CIC, and 145 GP practices in mid and south Essex. This includes key information such as conditions, medications, allergies, referrals, demographics, inpatient discharge summaries, and mental health summaries.

The Shared Care Record is integrated into the existing systems used by care providers, enabling professionals to access a person's Shared Care Record seamlessly and securely from their usual IT system without needing an extra login.

The investment is expected to deliver £1.7m in annual efficiency savings across MSE ICS.

In its first week, 1,296 professionals accessed the Shared Care Record to support the care of 9,381 patients.

Tom Abell, chief executive at NHS Mid and South Essex, said: 'By providing our health and social care teams with immediate access to vital patient information, we can improve patient safety, reduce duplication, and ensure more coordinated and personalised care.

'The system not only makes our services more efficient today but also ensures we are better prepared to meet the changing and growing needs of our population.'

The next phase of development will focus on expanding the system to include adult social care services from the three local authorities within MSE ICS.