The NHS wants to give people better ways to see their personal health information online. We know that people want to be able to access their health records. It can help you see test results faster. It also lets you read and review notes from your appointments in your own time.
As your GP practice, the NHS has asked that we provide you with access to your full medical record going forward from 31/10/2023 onwards, via the NHS App (and NHS website) if you have a suitable NHS login.
We’re now letting you see all the information within your health record automatically. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS App, NHS website, or another online primary care service, you will now be able to see all future notes and health records from your doctor (GP). Some people can already access this feature, this won’t change for you.
Your GP medical record contains consultation notes based on conversations between you, your GP and their team: medicines prescribed to you; all test results including hospital investigations; allergies; vaccines; and your medical conditions along with documents that may have been sent from local hospitals, clinics or other agencies, e.g. the police. There is likely to be sensitive and personal information within your medical record. You may wish to speak with us first to understand what it is that you will see. Also the risks which may be involved in having such confidential data either on your smartphone, with the NHS App installed or online if other people might have access to that information through your devices. If you are in a difficult or pressured relationship for example, you may prefer your records to remain accessible only to those treating you, with them not appearing on your smartphone or online. Government has been clear that if a patient does not wish to have access, then we do not have to provide it. This is one reason why we have asked if you wish to opt out, or have it switched off for the time being.
For those who would like access, we are happy to explain the different levels you might like. Everyone can have access to their medication history and allergies, for example, and will be able to order their repeat prescriptions. It’s also possible to request access to what we call your ‘coded record’ where you can see a list of medical problems and results. You can also request access to the ‘full’ record where you will be able to see everything, including the notes which have been written by doctors, nurses and others involved in your care, at the GP surgery, and elsewhere from 31/10/2023 onwards.
It’s important to remember that these documents may, at times, contain information that could be upsetting, especially if they contain news of a serious condition. It can also be a cause for worry seeing results online when it isn’t clear what the results might mean and no one is available to ask. This can be the case during the evening or at weekends, for example.
Sometimes people with a mental health condition might prefer not to see documents that remind them of difficult times in their life. Letters from mental health teams sometimes go into detail about past events, and great care would be needed in deciding whether you would want to see these letters. It is possible for individual items to be hidden at your request and your GP would be happy to talk about any concerns you may have.
Great care is also needed in case private details might cause harm at home, should people in a difficult or pressured relationship be forced to show their medical record to an abusive partner. Anyone in such a position should make this clear to us at the practice, so we can take steps to keep you safe. Therefore we have ensured access will be given once request has been made and documentation is provided in person for verification.
The following may be useful:
- Commonly Found Abbreviations In Medical Records.
- What You Need To Know About Your GP Record.
- Seeing Your Medical Record.
- How to register for Patient Access
- Sign in to Patient Access
Information Video
Requesting access – what do I need to do?
The easiest way to get access is to create an NHS login through the NHS App. Although you can also access your GP records via the internet on a computer, the first bit is easiest if done through a smartphone. If you don’t have one, you may have a family member or friend you trust who can help you. You can also ask your practice receptionist, but you’ll need some proof of who you are, e.g. a passport, driving licence or household bill.
If you use the NHS App, you’ll have to set up an account using a unique e-mail address and then ‘authenticate’ yourself to the NHS system to prove you are who you say you are. This will involve confirming your name, date of birth and contact details.
The NHS login has several levels of authentication and to gain access to your records you’ll need the highest level of authentication. This generally involves you recording a short video of yourself to prove you are a real person as well as uploading a copy of a suitable identification document. Your GP practice can bypass this step if you are struggling, but we’d ask you to try to sign up to the NHS App yourself.
Once you have suitably authenticated yourself to the NHS App and created your NHS login you can approach your practice and ask for access, being mindful of the risks associated with access and the importance of not sharing passwords or having them stored in your smartphone if you think other people might want to see them without your permission. If you have any concerns, you should explain these to the GP practice team who can guide you.
Please note:
- Once we have received your form, a member of the team will contact you confirming that we have received your request and will advise you to bring in your ID in order to process the request.
- Once we have confirmed your identity, we need adequate time to process your request and screen the records if appropriate. This is especially needed for any notes/documents from third parties or medical notes that contain any potential sensitive information that may cause harm. We aim to process your request within 28 working days.
- It will be your responsibility to keep your login details and password safe and secure. If you know or suspect that your record has been accessed by someone that you have not agreed should see it, then you should change your password immediately.
- If you have concerns about this, we recommend that you contact the practice so that they can remove online access until you are able to reset your password.
- Consider that access can also be gained on some phones using fingerprints or Face ID.
- If you print out any information from your record, it is also your responsibility to keep this secure. If you are at all worried about keeping printed copies safe, we recommend that you do not make copies at all.
- The practice may not be able to offer online access due to a number of reasons such as concerns that it could cause harm to physical or mental health or where there is reference to third parties. The practice has the right to remove online access for anyone they feel it could harm or be put at risk.
- The practice may give you limited online access if deemed most appropriate
Application Form
The form to request access can be downloaded here. Or fill out the online form located here.
