The NHS App

What The NHS App does

Use the NHS App to:

• 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
• view your medical record - securely access your GP medical record, to see information like your allergies and your current and past medicines
• 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

Other services in the NHS App

If your GP surgery or hospital offers other services in the NHS App, you may be able to:

• message your GP surgery, doctor or health professional online
• consult a GP or health professional through an online form and get a reply
• access health services on behalf of someone you care for
• view your hospital and other healthcare appointments
• view useful links your doctor or health professional has shared with you

Keeping your data secure

After you download the app, you will need to set up an NHS login and prove who you are. The app then securely connects to information from your GP surgery.

If your device supports fingerprint detection or facial recognition, you can use it to log in to the NHS App each time, instead of using a password and security code.

Information about accessing your medical records

The NHS is keen that you have access to information on line , ie through the NHS App. The ambition is that this might help you understand a bit more about  both your health and  what your medical records hold.

This can be very helpful to people. 

There are things however that we are keen that you are aware of.

This is particularly important for you to consider before you allow others access to your records.

There are certain issues to consider

• Your medical records may contain codes or information that you cannot recall.
• It can also contain information that you might be concerned about and concerned about others having. 
• They can also contain coded info that doesn't seem to be sensible/helpful.

The information that we have turned on access to is of different types. 

We have turned on access to prescriptions for many years and encouraged people to use as a default way to request on going medication.

We have turned on access to results and immunisations from when you are born.

We have allowed access to 'problem' lists from 2000 and free text in consultations from 2020. 

If you do have concerns about what you find please do feel free to approach the practice to discuss it further.

We have for some time been asking people whether they would like to have access to their records when they register. 

If you are a more longstanding patient who does not as yet have access to your medical records on line please do come and talk to reception about accessing your records online.