“Summary care records are a vital step forward in delivering safe and effective patient care. Patients with asthma can have long and detailed medical histories and it is unrealistic to expect them to repeat these whilst they are struggling to breathe, and causes unnecessary pain and stress.

"As a consenting patient with a long-term condition, I expect my medical details to be available wherever they are needed, which will ensure my safety in emergencies and improve consistency and quality of care whichever part of the NHS I deal with.”

Neil Churchill, Chief Executive Officer, Asthma UK.