The developments in Information Technology and the availability of comprehensive, secure information sources is not limited to General Practice and Secondary / Tertiary Care providers.

In order to develop a comprehensive Electronic Health Record, it is essential that the electronic links and clinical systems in General Practices and hospital settings are extended to include other Primary Care providers - Dental, Pharmaceutical and Optical healthcare providers. As these providers are linked to the NHS via the NHS network (NHSnet), it will become easier to exchange information relating to individual patient care and build up a comprehensive medical history.

Electronic Prescribing is a key element of the Electronic Patient Record strategy and work is already underway to link GP practices to community pharmacists and the Prescription Pricing Authority. Electronic links will improve the service available to patients and the flow of information. In addition links are being developed between opticians and dentists to make referrals, where appropriate, directly with clinicians in the Acute hospital.

The document Modernising NHS Dentistry - implementing the NHS Plan, outlined the strategy for improving access to dental services but also how modernising dental services will play its part in the wider programme of NHS change. NHS Direct now has a database of all local dental services which is available to anyone making enquiries and acts as a gateway to all NHS dentistry, advising callers on where they can find an NHS dentist and on NHS dental services.