Frequently Asked Questions
Useful links and information about setting up online access to your GP health record using the NHS App or Patient Access.
What are the NHS App and Patient Access?
The NHS App and Patient Access are two online services which allow you to view parts of your GP health record, order repeat prescriptions and view details of your upcoming and past appointments.
Both can be used on your PC through their websites or downloaded as apps to use on your smartphone.
You can visit the NHS App website here: https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/
You can visit the Patient Access website here: https://www.patientaccess.com/
The NHS App also provides additional services, details of which can be found in the NHS App section further down this page.
How do I sign up for the NHS App or Patient Access?
To sign up for the NHS App and website, you will need to create an NHS login.
To sign up for Patient Access, you can either create a Patient Access account, or you can create an NHS login.
Please read the section below to find out how using your NHS login can help you prove your identity and access your GP health record, whether you plan to use the NHS App or Patient Access.
How do I access my GP records using the NHS App or Patient Access?
Before you can access your GP health record using either service, you need to prove your identity. There are two ways you can do this:
For those that are able, we recommend proving your identity using photo ID, which you can do after creating an NHS login. If successful, you should be granted access to your GP health records without the need to contact the practice. You can then use your NHS login with either the NHS App or Patient Access.
To prove your identity using photo ID, you will need to use your smartphone camera, or a webcam, to upload a photo of a valid photo ID and record a video of your face. The NHS login team then will then check your ID.
For more information on this process, please visit https://help.login.nhs.uk/provewhoyouare/withid/
For more information on registering for Patient Access using your NHS login, please visit https://support.patientaccess.com/signing-in/nhs-login-and-patient-access
If you cannot prove your identity in this way, you’ll need to request online access registration details from the practice instead.
To do so, please visit one of our sites with a form of photo ID and ask reception for an online access patient application form. Reception will take a copy of your photo ID to keep with your completed application form. Within 3 working days we will send a document to the email address you provided, which contains 3 online access registration details:
- Linkage Key (could be called Passphrase)
- ODS Code (could be called Organisation Code or Practice ID)
- Account ID
You can then use these registration details to link your NHS App or Patient Access account with your GP health record.
For more information on using these details with the NHS App, please visit https://help.login.nhs.uk/provewhoyouare/withoutid/
For more information on using these details with Patient Access, please visit https://support.patientaccess.com/registration/link-to-your-gp-practice
How can I apply for proxy access to someone else’s medical records?
To apply for proxy access to someone else’s records, please visit one of our sites with a form of photo ID, proof of legal basis for proxy access where relevant, your child’s birth certificate, LPA etc., and ask reception for an online access proxy patient application form.
Reception will take a copy of your photo ID and proof documents to keep with your completed application form. You will then be added as a proxy to the patient’s online access within 3 working days.
Who should I contact if I experience a problem?
As the NHS App and Patient Access are third party services, we cannot offer support for issues encountered when using them.
If you experience an issue with your NHS login or the NHS App:
Please visit the NHS login help centre: https://help.login.nhs.uk/
Or use their support contact form: https://help.login.nhs.uk/contact
If you experience an issue with Patient Access:
Please visit the Patient Access support centre: https://support.patientaccess.com/
Or use their support contract form: https://support.patientaccess.com/contact-support-form
NHS App
Try the NHS App. If you’re a patient at our practice you can now use the new NHS App, a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. You can use the NHS App to get health advice, order repeat prescriptions, manage your hospital referrals, view your GP health record and more. If you already use Patient Access you can continue to use it but you can use the NHS App as well. For more information go to www.nhs.uk/nhsapp.
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 new 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
Online Consultation
