The NHS App puts you in control, with access to a range of NHS services at your fingertips.
Here’s how to get started. Ideas and guides on how to use the app and what benefits it can bring are further down the page.
Installing the App
- Open the App Store (for iPhone or other ios devices) or Google Play
- Search for NHS App
- Install the App
Registering
If you already have an NHS login account for other apps and websites you can use the same email address and password to log in.
To create an NHS login account, you must be aged 13 or over, and have an email address and phone number:
- Enter your email address and select Continue.
- Choose a password.
- Accept the NHS login terms and conditions.
- The NHS will email you a security code. Enter this code in the NHS App to confirm your email address.
- Enter your mobile phone number and select Continue.
- We will send you another security code in a text message. Enter this code in the NHS App to confirm your mobile phone number.
- If you have entered the correct codes, you can access the NHS App.
You will now have an NHS login.
Proving who you are
You will need to prove who you are to access other services like seeing your GP health record and other personal information.
Use photo ID to prove who you are
You will need a form of photo ID such as a valid UK passport or UK driving licence.
You have two options.
Option 1 – Complete a face scan
Through the NHS App, NHS login will guide you on how to:
- Take a photo of your ID with your mobile phone.
- Complete an automated scan of your face using your mobile phone. This will be used to match your face with the photo ID.
- Enter your date of birth.
- Enter your NHS number or your name and postcode.
When you have completed these steps, your identity should be confirmed within a few hours.
Option 2 – Take a video
Through the NHS App, NHS login will guide you on how to:
- Take a photo of your ID with your mobile phone.
- Record a short video of your face and say 4 randomly generated numbers (you can also use British Sign Language or write the numbers down and show them in the video).
- Enter your date of birth.
- Enter your NHS number or your name and postcode.
When you have completed these steps, your identity should be confirmed within a few hours.
What to do if you do not have photo ID
Each GP surgery creates an online account for patients on their local computer system.
You can use the following details from that account to prove who you are:
- the ODS code of your GP surgery
- the account ID
- a linkage key or a passphrase
Your GP surgery should give these details to you in a ‘PIN document’. The linkage key or passphrase will expire 2 weeks after it is printed. If you need your pin, please submit an admin online request for this.
When you have the PIN document, follow these steps in the NHS App:
- Select How to prove who you are without photo ID
- Select Yes – I use online services
- Select Yes – I have all 3 details
- Enter your ODS code, account ID, and linkage key or passphrase
- Enter your full name and date of birth
Logging in to the NHS App
- Enter your email address and select Continue.
- Enter the password you created when you registered on the app.
There are a huge number of ways the NHS App can help you manage you health online, a
Help and Support
For help getting set up on the NHS App visit: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app-get-started
Download Links
– Google Play link for Android phones
– App Store link for iPhones and other Apple/iOS devices
You can now access a variety of services online without having to phone or visit the surgery. Sign up now to GP online services and you will be able to use a website or app to:
Online services offered
- Requesting and cancelling appointments
- Ordering repeat prescriptions
- View your test results
- View medical records and clinical documents where available
Our online services are quick, easy and convenient to use from a smartphone, tablet or computer.
They will save you time and help you take more control of your health, particularly if you have any long-term medical conditions which require regular monitoring and prescriptions.
Application for Access to GP Online Services – Things To Consider
Before you apply for online access to your medical health record, there are some 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 when you sign up for online services.
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.
Choosing to share your information with someone
It’s up to you whether you share your information with others or not – 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. If you require further clarification, please contact the surgery for a clearer explanation.
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 data safe and benefitting the public.
Proxy Access
If you are using this service to access another person’s account as a proxy (eg as a carer or parent), you have discussed appropriately what you are accessing and for what purpose. This service will be reviewed at regular intervals by the GP practice and may be rescinded at any time.
Proxy access
Do you want to help someone with their health services, or choose someone to help you? Do you want to manage your child’s health services through the NHS App?
If you’re both patients at our surgery, you can apply to help someone manage their health services or choose someone to help manage yours.
Health services are things like booking appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions and viewing medical records. You choose the services you want to get or give access to.
We are are a trial practice for the NHS App proxy application service so you can now apply for proxy access via the NHS App. Find out how to apply to manage health services for others (NHS website).
This service is designed and run by the NHS, so your personal information is safe.This service is designed and run by the NHS, so your personal information is safe.If you are the parent of any children under the age of 12 you will need to fill in a ‘proxy’ access form to view their details. You can also grant access to a carer if you wish.
NHS England – easy read guides to GP online services
A set of guides that use easy words and pictures to enable users to understand GP online services.
NHS England: videos about using GP online services
Please have a look at the GP Online Services case studies below which gives the views of patients, practice managers and GPs about how easy and useful it is to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and have access to medical records online.
The Patient Responsibility
You understand that it is your responsibility to keep your contact details updated and that you are responsible for the safety and security of your personal registration details for online services. You also understand that you can withdraw consent at any time by simply notifying the Practice in writing.
The status of repeat prescriptions requests should be checked online to confirm they have been prescribed before collecting any medications from the Pharmacy especially if requesting a item not on your repeat prescription record.
Where access is granted to your registration details such as PIN, Practice ID, Access ID and CHI number will be sent via post or given in person.
The Email address must be specific to the person making the request. It cannot be a shared account.
Patient with a history of non-attendance at pre-booked appointments without cancelling will not normally be granted access to online appointment booking.
Online appointments booked are to be cancelled by the patient as soon as it is determined it is no longer required.
The Practice will not allow misuse of the online system and will monitor usage by individual patients. Where it is considered that a patient is misusing the system or is acting in a way detrimental a warning letter will be issued. Where the situation does not improve, or recurs, access will be removed permanently and without further notice at the discretion of the Partners. This will not affect your registration with the Practice.
On approval request for online access you will be given access and instructions.
Requests for reissue of access log-in details will be sent via post to the patients registered address or in person.
Abuse of the Online System
Abuse of the system includes, but is not exclusive to the following:
- Sending needless or abusive messages to the Practice
- Repeatedly booking and cancelling appointments
- Repeatedly booking appointments over a short period of time
- Booking appointments and not attending them
- Any offensive or abusive messages through the service
- Requesting prescriptions that you do not need.
Security
We take the security of your information very seriously. Our clinical systems provider ensures that the information you provide when using the online services portal is protected. All communications with the web site are encrypted, using the same high security that major banks use for their internet transactions (128 bit SSL). Only you can see the personal information you enter.
Using the most up-to-date version of your web browser also improves security of information. Remember to close the browser after use, especially if someone else could access your computer.