NHS App Online Services
NHS App Messaging
Did you know you can now receive messages from us via the NHS App?
This is a convenient and secure way for us to send you messages about your care. We will only send you a message if we need to contact you.
We will be able to send to you:
- appointment reminders
- test results
- appointment invitations
The best way to keep up with your messages is to download the NHS App on Google Play or the App Store and turn on notifications, your notifications will tell you that you have a new message from your GP.
To turn on notifications:
- Log in to the NHS app.
- Go to More.
- Select Account and settings.
- Then select Manage notifications.
- Use the toggle to turn notifications on or off
To check your NHS app messages:
- Log in to the NHS app
- Go to View your messages
- Select View messages from your GP surgery and other NHS services
- Then select your GP surgery name
If the message cannot be successfully delivered to your NHS App inbox e.g. you do not have your NHS App notifications switched on, the NHS app account is not found or it is not read within 3 hours then it will send you a normal text message to your phone instead.
If you want to find out more information on the NHS app then please visit the NHS website.
Please note the practice is not able to assist with technical support regarding the NHS App, for help and support please visit the NHS website.
If you wish to opt out from receiving text messages from us then please complete the Ask the Reception a Question form and state you wish to opt out from receiving text messages.
How to Download and Register for the NHS App
Downloading the NHS App on a mobile device:
- Open the App Store or Play Store.
- Search for ‘NHS App’ and select install.
- After installing, select the app to open it.
- Enter your email address and select ‘Continue’.
- Select ‘Continue’ to set up a new NHS login.
- To create an account you will need to know your NHS number, you can find this located on a prescription or hospital letter, if you are unable to locate your NHS number please contact our Patient Services Team. You will need to insert your name, date of birth and postcode. Select ‘Continue’ if you know this information.
- Create a password and select ‘Continue’.
- A code will be sent to your email address to confirm who you are.
- Enter your mobile number. You will be sent a security number via text to confirm your mobile number.
- Once your registration is complete, you will be asked if you are happy to share your details from your GP Surgery with the NHS App – choose ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and select ‘Continue’.
- Then you are asked to agree to the NHS terms of use, privacy policy and cookie policy (the cookie policy is optional).
NHS App
Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
You can:
– get your NHS COVID Pass
– order repeat prescriptions
– book and manage appointments
– get health information and advice
– view your health record securely
– view your NHS number
You can link your GP services through your NHS app by inserting your linkage key, account number and our ODS code. If you do not have these please complete the following form: Register for Patient Access Online Services
Patients aged between 11-16 are not able to have access to online services (Patients aged 16+ can request for a linkage key, account number and ODS code by completing the following form Register for Patient Access Online Services
Download the app here– for smartphone or tablet
Log in – NHS App Online (service.nhs.uk)– access via the NHS website
NHS App Technical Support
Some patients may experience technical difficulties using the App and the links below may help patients troubleshoot common problems. Please do not contact your GP surgery for technical support, please use the link below to get in touch with the National NHS APP Help Team.
Resetting the NHS App
The following steps may solve most common technical issued encountered when using the NHS APP, Delete your account.
If you are still able to log in to the NHS App on your mobile device, please do so, then select Settings (the “cog” icon in the top-right corner), then NHS login, then ‘Delete your NHS login’.
If you are unable to log in to the NHS App on your mobile device, please visit the website via the following link: account.login.nhs.uk/manage-nhs-login/delete
For security reasons, you will need to log in with your usual NHS login credentials. Once logged in, you will then be able to delete your account.
How to keep your records safe
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 can’t do this for some reason, we recommend that you contact the practice so that they can remove online access until you are able to reset your password.
If you print out any information from your record, it is also your responsibility to keep this secure.
For further information please go to: GuidanceBooklet (www.nhs.uk)
Additional Information
The practice has the right to remove online access to services. This is rarely necessary but may be the best option if you do not use them responsibly or if there is evidence that access may be harmful to you. This may occur if someone else is forcing you to give them access to your record or if the record may contain something that may be upsetting or harmful to you. The practice will explain the reason for withdrawing access to you and will re-instate access as quickly as possible.
Proxy Access
Proxy access was developed to allow someone other than the patient to access and manage parts of their GP online services account. The proxy is given their own online access account. It is often used by the parents or recognised carers of young children, and recognised carers of adults.
Proxy access 11-16 years
A parent with proxy access will be able to manage certain elements of the young person’s record, such as making appointments and ordering medication, but they will not be able to see the young person’s past appointments or clinical records. It is within the patient’s best interest for us to be aware that there may be some risk from the parent being able to see the prescription record. It is within our care to monitor and record any concerns, and we will remove access to the account if deemed appropriate and in the best interest of the patient. This will be reviewed Annually.
On the young person’s 16th birthday
On the young person’s 16th birthday our system will switch off all the remaining proxy access. Where a young person has already been given control over access to their online services before their 16th birthday, and their parents do not, there is no need to make any changes unless the young person wishes to do so. A parent with proxy access will be able to manage certain elements of the young person’s record, such as making appointments and ordering medication, but they will not be able to see the young person’s past appointments or clinical records. It is within the patient’s best interest for us to be aware that there may be some risk from the parent being able to see the prescription record. It is within our care to monitor and record any concerns, and we will remove access to the account if deemed appropriate and in the best interest of the patient.
AGillick competence assessment
The young person may decide, once they are mature enough to act autonomously. The decision about the capacity of young people can be complex. It may also be difficult to identify coercion of a young person to allow parental or carer access. Parental right yields to the child’s right to be capable of making up his/her own mind on the matter requiring decision.
The age which a young person becomes competent to make autofocus decisions about their healthcare including who should have access to their online access vary from person to person. Therefore, a Gillick competence assessment will need to be carried out by a GP, the GP has the right to decide if a young person is competent and can refuse access if they feel it will cause physical and /or detrimental harm we reserve the right to refuse access at this time.
The competent young person may decide to:
- Stop their parents proxy access to their online services, where the parents still have access after their 11th birthday .
- Allow their parents to have access to their online services, or to allow limited proxy access to specific services, such as appointment access and repeat medication ordering.
- Switch off all online access until such time as the young person chooses to request access.
- Request their own online access.
To apply or consent to Proxy access please complete the Consent to Proxy Access to GP Online Services form.
Basic Online Access Application
To apply for Basic Level of Online Access with NHS App, please complete our Basic Online Access Application Form.
Important Information
If you wish to, you can now use the internet to book appointments with a GP, request repeat prescriptions for any medications you take regularly and look at your medical record online. Being able to see your record online might help you to manage your medical conditions. It also means that you can even access it from anywhere in the world should you require medical treatment on holiday. You will be given login details, so you will need to think of a password which is unique to you. This will ensure that only you are able to access your record – unless you choose to share your details with a family member or carer. The practice has the right to remove online access to services for anyone that doesn’t use them responsibly. Within your online records, Windrush Medical Practice members of staff are named in your records. By accepting your records, you are bound by GDPR and therefore should not share names of staff who are named in your records. If you wish to register for historic online services or proxy access we require evidence of your ID, which you can upload on our online form. Once this has been verified, we will issue the necessary documentation for online services. Access can also be withdrawn at any time if there are concerns about patient confidentiality
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 can’t do this for some reason, we recommend that you contact the practice so that they can remove online access until you are able to reset your password. 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.
Proxy Access
If we have any reason to believe that in giving you proxy access this may cause the patient or yourself physical/and or mental harm the practice reserves the right to refuse proxy access. * Patient records will be checked upon receipt of the application form in order to verify details and carry out safeguarding checks in line with legislation. If we are unable to offer you proxy access this will be discussed with you.
Before you apply for online access to your record, there are some other things to consider. Although the chances of any of these things happening are very small, you will be asked that you have read and understood the following before you are given login details.
Things to consider
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. Please be assured anything that requires urgent attention will be actioned BEFORE it has been added to your patient record as information is added after review by a clinician.
Choosing to share your information with someone
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 against your will, it is best that you do not register for access at this time.
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.
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.