Patients in Cornwall who need emergency care will soon be able to benefit from health staff having easy access to important information about them.

The NHS Summary Care Record, which is already being used in other parts of the country, is being introduced in the next 18 months.

This is a secure electronic record which contains key health information about a patient's medication, allergies and any previous bad reactions to medicines.

All patients in Cornwall are receiving a letter telling them about the new record system. Everyone has the right to opt out of having a summary care record and can do so by filling out and returning a form, which is included with the letter.