Care Reform (Scotland) Bill Passes In Scotland: What Does This Mean for Community Pharmacy?

Published: 12/06/25

The Care Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 10th of June, bringing forward a number of enhancements to social care. Part of the reform voted for by MSPs includes the creation of a digital patient care record empowering people to access information on their care and improving the flow of information across care settings.

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As part of yesterday’s debate, Jackie Baillie MSP tabled an amendment, which states that Ministers must ensure that every person who receives health care or a social service in Scotland has a digital care record. This record must be enabled for secure and efficient sharing of data between health care and social services so that people’s experiences are as safe and seamless as possible. It would also allow people to access their own health and care information, in a format accessible to them. A further amendment, tabled by Brian Whittle MSP and voted through, will ensure that this record is integrated. CPS was in full support of this amendment. 

This legislation creates the conditions for community pharmacies to have access to patient records. Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has supported and lobbied for role-based read and write access to patient records for many years and is delighted to see this step forward in achieving a platform which will support the ever expanding role of the community pharmacist and wider team to deliver excellent patient care in the community. This is another area of focus within the upcoming CPS Strategy which highlights why integration and digital technology need to be at the forefront of enhancing community pharmacy services. 

CPS look forward to continuing to work with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (who have been leading the trail on this body of work as the professional body for pharmacy) to progress this to becoming a reality and ensure that the development work has community pharmacy voices involved.

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