You may be able to use online services to:
- Book, check or cancel appointments with a GP or nurse
- 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 can I do this?
- You will need to set up a NHS login to do this and create a login to NHS services online www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/account or download the NHS App.
If you are a newly registered patient, online access to appointment booking and ordering repeat prescriptions can occur after your first appointment with a GP to discuss your medications (this is a safety review). You must complete a New Patient Questionnaire (Form A) and a Online Records Access Consent Form (Form B) for this. FULL online records access can only be granted after your medical records has been received from your previous practice, and coded. This is for safety reasons, and unfortunately may take several months.
Full Online Records Access
There are some things to consider before you create a FULL online access account. Please read the information below carefully:
Although the chances of any of these things happening are very small, you will be asked that you have read and understood the following when you sign up for online services.
Forgotten history
There may be something you have forgotten about in your record that you might find upsetting.
Abnormal results or bad news
If your GP has given you access to test results or letters, you may see something that you find upsetting to you. This may occur before you have spoken to your doctor or while the surgery is closed and you cannot contact them.
Choosing to share your information with someone
It’s up to you whether you share your information with others or not – perhaps family members or carers. It’s your choice, but also your responsibility to keep the information safe and secure.
Coercion
If you think you may be pressured into revealing details from your patient record to someone else against your will, it is best that you do not register for access at this time.
There is more information available here www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/cover-your-tracks-online/
Misunderstood information
Your medical record is designed to be used by clinical professionals to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Some of the information within your medical record may be highly technical, written by specialists and not easily understood. If you require further clarification, please contact the surgery for a clearer explanation.
Information about someone else
If you spot something in the record that is not about you or notice any other errors, please log out of the system immediately and contact the practice as soon as possible.
More information
For more information about keeping your healthcare records safe and secure, you will find a helpful leaflet produced by the NHS in conjunction with the British Computer Society: Keeping your online health and social care records safe and secure
Proxy Access
If you are using this service to access another person’s account as a proxy (eg as a carer or parent), you have discussed appropriately what you are accessing and for what purpose. This service will be reviewed at regular intervals by the GP practice and may be rescinded at any time.