Access to your medical record online from 18th October 2023
From 18th October 2023, patients using Online Services (NHS App, Patient Access) will be able to view all new entries made in their GP records. This is an NHS initiative to give patients greater access to their health information.
We are now letting patients see all the information within their personal health record automatically. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS App, paitient Access, or another online primary care service, you will now be able to see all future notes and health records from your doctor (GP).
This means that you will be able to see notes from your appointments, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records. This only applies to records from your doctor (GP), not from hospitals or other specialists. You will only be able to see information from 18th October 2023. For most people, access will be automatic, and you won’t need to do anything.
Your doctor (GP) may talk to you to discuss test results before you are able to see some of your information on the app. Your doctor (GP) may also talk to you before your full records access is given to make sure that having access is of benefit to you. There might be some sensitive information on your record, so you should talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
If you think a record entry is inaccurate, please see https://transform.england.nhs.uk/information-governance/guidance/amending-patient-and-service-user-records/ to find out what you can do about this. Alternatively you can contact the practice directly by submitting the Data Correction form below:
Your GP records are important. Although the NHS App and other approved apps that they are stored on are secure, you should keep your account details safe (https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/pat-guid-protecting-your-records.pdf), just like your bank account details. If you have any concerns, for example, that a family member might log into your account without your permission, you should inform your GP and they will be able to manually turn off access. Turning off access in the NHS App does not stop you from requesting access to your full record at any time via Subject Access Request (SAR) (https://transform.england.nhs.uk/information-governance/guidance/subject-access-requests/).
If you do not want to see your health record, or if you would like more information about these changes, please speak to your GP or reception staff. Alternatively you can contact us for any queries relating to your online record via Email at: [email protected] and add ONLINE RECORDS QUERY in the subject line and a member of our reception team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Use of the NHS App is optional, and you can still access services in other ways if you are not registered for an NHS account.
Understanding your Health Record:
You can find information about your GP online record here:
You can view some commonly used abbreviations here, which may help you understand your records.
Why cant I access my online account?
Patients may not be able to view their online records for several reasons. We have tried to detail as many possibilities as we can for information.
Contact Information:
The most common reason for your Online Account not linking with your GP practice is that your contact details are not up to date. You need to ensure that your GP surgery have the correct contact number for you on your patient record and that the email the practice have on your record is the same one that you used to sign up for Online Services.
You are a newly registered patient with the practice:
When a patient moves from one GP surgery to another, Access to Online Records resets. You may receive a message when trying to log on that states you require a linkage Key, ODS Code & Account ID to link your account to your GP practice.
Enhanced Review of records is required before enabling Online Access:
Before giving access to records, your doctor may want to talk to you first, to make sure that having access is of benefit to you, as there may be sensitive information on your record. They may also want to talk to patients who might benefit from support to decide about access to their records.
You have not verified your identity via the NHS App:
In order for you to have full access to your medical records you are required to verify your identity via the NHS App. If you have been unable to do so, you can visit the practice with a form of photo ID and the practice can personally vouch an identity verification.
If you are still having trouble accessing your Online Records. Please complete the contact the practice form found here, and a member of our team will contact you.
Patient Access
Online services allow you to:
- book, check or cancel appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional
- order repeat prescriptions
- see parts of your health record, including information about medicines, vaccinations and test results
- see communications between your GP surgery and other services, such as hospitals
How to register for Online Services
If you have not used our online services before you will need to:
- Register for Online Services
- Verify your identity
- Secure a username and password
- After registering, log on with your username and password.
NHS App
You can use the NHS App to check your symptoms and get instant advice, book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your GP medical record and more.
What the NHS App does
- get advice about coronavirus – get information about coronavirus and find out what to do if you think you have it.
- order repeat prescriptions – see your available medicines, request a new repeat prescription and choose a pharmacy for your prescriptions to be sent to.
- book appointments – search for, book and cancel appointments at your GP surgery, and see details of your upcoming and past appointments.
- check your symptoms – search trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments, and get instant advice or medical help near you.
- register your organ donation decision – choose to donate some or all of your organs and check your registered decision.
- find out how the NHS uses your data – choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning.
- view parts of your GP record – including information about medication, allergies, vaccinations, previous illnesses and test results.
If you’re a patient at our practice you can use the NHS App, a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
Get the app
Non-urgent advice: Having Problems?
You can still contact the practice by phone or in person, this is just another option, which other patients have found is more convenient and saves them time. More information including “how to” leaflets and videos of patients and why they are using GP online services are available at www.nhs.uk/gponlineservices
Proxy Access
Proxy access was developed to allow someone other than the patient to access and manage parts of their GP online services account. The proxy is given their own online access account (rather than using the patient’s login details). It is often used by the parents or recognised carers of young children up to the age of 11, and recognised carers of adults.
Children 11-16 years old
Children over the age of 11 should have their own account and Login details unless the young person is not competent to make their own decisions about their healthcare.
If a child between the ages of 11-16, who is competent to make their own decisions about their healthcare, still wishes for a Proxy to have access to their account, the below form should be printed and completed. Please note that an electronic signature will not be accepted.
Children 0-10 years old and recognised carers for a child/adult
To apply for proxy access for a child 0-10 or as a recognised carer for a child/adult please click the Apply button below.