A digital system that allows health and care professionals to access patient records across the North East and North Cumbria has reached a major milestone, with over one million monthly views now recorded.
The Great North Care Record (GNCR), which enables secure access to patient data from multiple providers, has become one of the most widely used shared care record systems in the UK. The system, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, has been viewed a total of 25 million times since its launch in March 2020, with 30,000 health and care professionals using it regularly.
Annual views have risen by 839% since its introduction, from just under one million in 2020 to 9.3 million in 2024. The rapid increase highlights the growing reliance on GNCR as a vital tool in healthcare decision-making, improving patient safety and streamlining care across the region.
Lisa Sewell, GNCR Programme Director, described the milestone as a testament to the system’s impact:
“We’re delighted to have surpassed our landmark goal of one million monthly views. It evidences the incredibly positive impact that GNCR has had at scale. It continues to enable timely and informed decision-making supporting a person’s care in the North East and North Cumbria.
“It brings immense pride for all involved to see how far GNCR has come in the last five years. It is now a core digital enabler within our region’s health and social care system. We recognise that there is still more to do to ensure the scale and quality of information presented continues to develop. Our goal continues to be that the value of GNCR is maximised for the benefit of all.”
Expanding access to healthcare data
GNCR has seen significant growth in recent years, including the region-wide introduction of GP Connect. It also became the first shared care record in the UK to ensure that all NHS Foundation Trusts in its area share maternity data through a common electronic patient record.
Currently, just over half of health and care professionals in the North East and North Cumbria with access to GNCR actively use it, with efforts underway to expand engagement. Plans are in place to extend access to additional areas, including community dentistry, the voluntary sector, care homes, and community pharmacies. The aim is to improve collaboration between services and further enhance patient care.
Professor Graham Evans, Executive Chief Digital and Infrastructure Officer at NHS North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum:
“It gives me great pride to see the service continuously go from strength to strength and support frontline care for the population we serve.
“Over the past five years, GNCR has led the way when it comes to shared care records and connecting organisations together digitally. Regionally, we must continue to collaborate and promote using Great North Care Record to maximise its value and provide greater benefit for all.”
As GNCR marks five years of operation, its growing usage reflects a shift towards more integrated and digitally enabled healthcare, offering faster, safer, and more effective treatment across the region.
