Electronic Patient Record (PR) forms can be used by practices. We advise that the patient signature be captured electronically and in accordance with current guidance, below.
NHS Count Fraud Authority, with input from NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) Dental Services, have published an Electronic Signature Anti Fraud Standards document for guidance. This document has been shared with software companies wishing to develop an electronic signature solution.
This document provides detail of completion, secure storage to ensure legally sufficient production of the FP17, as well as compliance with the ‘Electronic Communications Act 2000’.
NHSBSA Dental Services will only accept electronic PR forms where the signature has been captured electronically using a system that complies with this document, a practice cannot scan an original paper PR form and destroy the original.
The retention period for patient records remains the same.