If you are registered our surgery, you can access some health services online via the NHS App.
Many patients find that having access to online services helps provide a quick and convenient way of managing their healthcare. As a practice we encourage all suitable patients to make full use of the NHs app where possible rather than telephoning the surgery to help keep our lines free for those who need to speak with us urgently.
You may be able to:
- 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
- book, check or cancel appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional
Online Health and Prescription Services can help keep you in control of your health.
It’s important that patients bear a few things in mind when accessing online services.
Who are Online Health Services suitable for?
Any patient aged 13 and over who’s registered with a GP in the UK. If you have access to the internet and a device you can use online health services.
Proxy Access
Patients wanting proxy access (access to the app of other patients) must contact the practice or complete and return the form in full below. Access is not lightly granted and is never granted until further checks (including gaining consent of the patient where possible) have been carried out. Please do not request this unless it is necessary for you to provide care to the patient. Being curious should not be a motivating factor in requesting Proxy Access.
Proxy Access to Online Service Request Form (DOCX, 24KB)
Patient Access to Medical Records – Things to Consider
Before you view your medical records there are some important things to consider.
| Forgotten history |
There may be something you have forgotten about in your medical record that you may see and find upsetting. |
| Abnormal results or bad news |
If you are given access to test results or letters you may see something that you find upsetting to you. This may occur before you have spoken to the doctor or whilst the surgery is closed and you cannot contact them. |
| Choosing to share your information with someone else |
It’s up to you whether or not you share your information with others, 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 (including friends and family) against your will, it is best that you do not register for online access at this time. |
| Misunderstood information |
You 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 your record that is not about you, or you notice other errors, please log out of the system immediately and contact the practice as soon as possible. |
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:
www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/records/healthrecords/documents/patientguidancebooklet.pdf (EXTERNAL PDF LINK)
Patient Access to Test Results – Things to Consider
When viewing your test results it’s important not to panic! If you need further treatment or if the Clinician wants to discuss the results with you quickly or urgently, they will contact you (usually by text or telephone) and indicate how soon the discussion needs to be. Sometimes discussions can happen over the telephone and do not always need a face to face consultation.
Laboratory tests are tools helpful in evaluating the health status of an individual. It is important to realise that laboratory results may be outside of the so-called ‘normal range’ for many reasons.
These variations may be due to such things as race, dietary preference, age, sex, menstrual cycle, degree of physical activity, problems with collection and/or handling of the specimen, non-prescription (over the counter) medicines (aspirin, cold medications, vitamins, etc.), prescription medication, alcohol intake and a number of non-illness-related factors.
Any unusual or abnormal results should be discussed with the Clinician who ordered the test. It is not possible to diagnose or treat any disease or problem with a blood test alone. It can, however, help you to learn more about your body and detect potential problems in early stages when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective.
You may notice occasional results fall outside of the normal average range for that test. Sometimes a result that is outside of the normal average range is normal for you. Your Clinician will leave a comment about your results and any actions that may be required which you will be able to see. If the Clinician is concerned about any result they will contact you by text or telephone or send you a letter.
What the Clinician’s comments mean:
Normal, no action – This means that the Clinician has looked at the result and deemed it to be within the normal range for the test and so no further investigation or treatment is needed.
Normal for this patient – This means that the Clinician has looked at the result and deemed it to be very close to the normal range for the test and the result is not concerning. Some patients have consistently out of range results that are ‘normal’ for them.
Satisfactory – If symptoms still present contact the surgery – This means that the result may be within or outside the normal range but acceptable to the Clinician in the circumstances. But please contact the surgery if symptoms persist.
Review as necessary – This means that the result may be within or outside the normal range but acceptable to the Clinician in the circumstances.
Satisfactory – no action – This means that the result may be within or outside the normal range but acceptable to the Clinician in the circumstances.
Patient to telephone Clinician to discuss – This is similar to the above but the Clinician would like to speak to you to explain the result(s) by telephone as detailed explanations and/or further treatment or investigation(s) may be necessary.
Patient to make appointment with Clinician to discuss – This is similar to the above but the Clinician wishes to explain the result(s) face to face as detailed explanations and/or further treatment or investigation(s) may be necessary.
On correct treatment – continue – Self-explanatory