Access to Medical Records
At Highfield surgery, we offer access to your full GP medical record through the NHS App and NHS website. This service, which includes prospective access to your records, was made available following a national directive that came into effect on 31 October 2023, for patients with a suitable NHS login.
What Your Records Contain
Your GP medical record is a comprehensive resource containing important health information, including:
- Consultation Notes: Details from discussions with your GP and their team.
- Medications: A list of medicines prescribed to you.
- Test Results: All results, including those from hospital investigations.
- Key Health Information: Your allergies, vaccinations, and diagnosed medical conditions.
- External Documents: Correspondence and documents received from local hospitals, clinics, or other agencies.
It is important to remember that your medical record contains sensitive and highly personal information.
Our Practice’s Stance and Important Considerations
We fully support your right to access your health information. However, we want to ensure this is done safely and that you are fully informed about the implications of online access.
Your Choice to Opt Out or Discuss Access
- Opt-Out Option: If you prefer not to have online access to your records, you can choose to opt out. Government guidance confirms that patients are not required to have this access.
- Pre-Access Discussion: We strongly encourage you to speak with us before gaining access. This allows us to explain the type of information you will see and discuss any potential risks, particularly if other individuals might have access to your devices.
- Safeguarding Concerns: If you are in a difficult or pressured relationship, you might prefer your records to remain accessible only to your treating clinicians. Please inform the practice immediately if you have any safety concerns. We can take steps to protect you, which may include removing NHS App access temporarily or carefully hiding specific sensitive items. We will discuss these options with you.
Understanding Different Levels of Access
We offer various levels of access to cater to your needs:
- Standard Access: Everyone can access their medication history, allergies, and order repeat prescriptions.
- Coded Record Access: This level allows you to view a list of your medical problems and test results.
- Full Record Access: This comprehensive access includes everything in your record, such as detailed notes written by doctors, nurses, and other care providers both at the GP surgery and elsewhere.
Important Warnings About Record Content
- Potentially Upsetting Information: Your records may contain information that could be upsetting, particularly if it relates to a serious condition.
- Unclear Test Results: Viewing test results online, especially outside of practice hours (evenings, weekends), might cause worry if their meaning isn’t immediately clear and no one is available to explain them.
- Mental Health Information: Individuals with mental health conditions might prefer not to see documents that remind them of difficult past experiences. Letters from mental health teams can be very detailed. If you have concerns, individual items can be hidden from your online view at your request; please discuss this with your GP.
How to Request Access
1. Create an NHS Login
- Recommended Method (NHS App): The easiest way to get started is by downloading and using the NHS App on a smartphone.
- Alternative (NHS Website): You can also access your records via the NHS website on a computer.
- Assistance: If you do not have a smartphone or need help, a trusted family member or friend may assist you. Alternatively, our practice reception team can help, but you will need to provide proof of identity (e.g., passport, driving licence, or a household bill).
- Authentication Process:
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- You’ll need a unique email address to set up your NHS login account.
- Confirm your name, date of birth, and contact details.
- To gain access to your records, you’ll need the highest level of authentication, which typically involves recording a short video of yourself and uploading a copy of a suitable identification document.
- If you encounter difficulties with this step, our GP practice can assist in bypassing it, but we encourage you to attempt it yourself first.
2. Approach Your Practice
- Once you have successfully set up and authenticated your NHS login, please contact Highfield surgery to request access.
- Complete a Form: You will need to complete our request form (available for download here: Online Access to records request). Please provide the email address associated with your NHS login.
- Discussion and Agreement: We will engage in a conversation with you about the associated risks and ensure you agree to and understand the terms of online access.
- Clinical Review: Your request will be passed to our clinical team for review. If any concerns are raised, the practice may contact you to discuss your request further to ensure access can be granted safely.
- Processing Time: While we aim to provide online access as soon as possible, there may be a wait depending on the volume of requests.
Proxy Access (Accessing Records for Others)
Proxy access allows a designated individual (the “proxy”) to access and manage parts of another patient’s GP online services account. The proxy is provided with their own separate online login details.
- Common Applications: This is often used by parents or recognised carers of young children, and by recognised carers of adults.
- Care Home Residents: For authorised care staff, access must be mutually agreed upon by the resident/patient (or their representative), the care home, and the patient’s GP practice. Access is typically granted from the date of admission, but longer, retrospective access can be approved if the GP deems it beneficial for the resident.
Proxy Access application form Nov 23
