GP practices are increasingly enabling patients to request repeat prescriptions and book appointments online.
Some patients may wish to access more information online. From 1st April 2015, practices have been contractually obliged to provide access to information about medications, allergies, and adverse reactions as a minimum. From 1st April 2016, this includes coded data.
However, this requires additional consideration, as outlined in this leaflet. You will be asked to confirm that you have read and understood this information before consenting to access your records online. The practice will also need to verify your identity.
Please note:
- It is 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 you have not authorised, you should change your password immediately.
- If you are unable to do this, please contact the practice so that your online access can be temporarily removed until your password is reset.
- If you print any information from your record, it is also your responsibility to keep it secure. If you have concerns about keeping printed copies safe, we recommend that you do not print them.
- The practice may not be able to offer online access in certain cases, such as where it may cause harm to your physical or mental health, or where third-party information is involved. The practice also reserves the right to remove access if services are not used responsibly.
Key considerations
| Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Forgotten history | There may be something in your record that you have forgotten about and could find upsetting. |
| Abnormal history | If your GP has granted access to test results or letters, you may see something that is upsetting before you have spoken to your doctor, or at a time when the surgery is closed and you cannot contact them. |
| Choosing to share your information with someone | It’s your decision whether to share your information with others – such as family members or carers. This is your choice, but also your responsibility to ensure the information is kept safe and secure. |
| Coercion | If you feel pressured to reveal details from your record to someone else against your will, it may be best not to register for online 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 see information in your record that does not relate to you, or if you notice an error, please log out of the system and contact the practice as soon as possible. |