Access to Your Medical Records

 

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.

We're now letting you see all the information within your health record. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as:

You will now automatically be able to see all future information entered on your medical record. Some people can already access this feature, this won't change for you.

This means that you will be able to see records from your appointments, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records. This only applies to records from your doctor (GP), not from hospitals or other specialists, although you will be able to see any letters that hospitals or specialists send to your doctor (GP). You will only be able to see information from 31st October 2023. For most people, access will be automatic, and you won't need to do anything.

Your doctor (GP) may talk to you to discuss test results before you are able to see some of your information on the app. Your doctor (GP) may also talk to you before you are given full record access to make sure that having access is of benefit to you. If you are concerned that seeing your records is not right for you, you should speak to your practice.

These changes only apply to people with online accounts. If you do not want an online account, you can still access your GP health record by requesting this information via reception [or include online option]. The changes also only apply to personal information about you. If you are a carer and would like to see information about someone you care for, speak to reception staff.

The NHS App, website and other online services are all very secure.  You'll need to make sure you protect your login details. Do not share your password with anyone as they will then have access to your personal information.

If you do not want to see your health record, or if you would like more information about these changes, please speak to your GP or reception staff. You can also read more by going to NHS - GP Record

 

Important Information about Patient Online Services:

  • Any information in your online record is important and private, so you should keep it safe and secure. Never share your medical information with others on any social media
  • Make sure you log out when you finish looking at your information, so that no one else can see it or change your password without you knowing. Make sure your password is not remembered by the website either
  • If you lose or forget your login details, go to the website which you normally use and click the ‘forgotten details’ button, then follow the instructions. If this does not work, please contact us
  • If you think that someone else may have unauthorised access to your online account, firstly try to change your password, then contact us to audit your online accounts and reset your online account if needed
  • No one should force you to share your username, password, or any information in your online record. You have the right to say no. If someone asks to see your records and you do not want them to, please let us know as soon as you can
  • If you change registered GP Practice, you will need to register again for online services at your new GP Practice
  • Your records are written to help medical staff look after you and so in some cases, you may not understand everything you see. If you find anything difficult to understand, as well as talking to your doctor or nurse, you can go to the NHS website where you can look for information on illnesses, improving health and find NHS services in your local area. For help with abbreviations you can visit NHS - Abbreviations. Another website frequently used to search for information on test results is Lab Test Online UK
  • Information in your GP record might need correcting. If you find something you think is not correct, you should contact us by submitting an Admin Query. The staff will be able to answer your questions and set things right when needed. Please bear in mind that you cannot change the record yourself
  • There may be information in your GP records that you did not know was there or that you had forgotten about, such as an illness or an upsetting incident. If you see anything you did not know about that worries you, please discuss this with us
  • If you see someone else’s information in your record, please log out immediately and let us know as soon as possible

Published: Nov 1, 2023