Changes in access to your GP-held records via the NHS app or NHS website 

As your GP practice, we have been asked to provide you with access to your full medical record going forward. This will be available from the 31st October via the NHS app or NHS website if you have a suitable NHS login. 

Your GP medical record contains: 

  • notes of consultations based on conversations between you, your GP and their team; 
  • medicines prescribed to you;
  • test results including hospital investigations;
  • allergies and vaccines.
  • It also contains documents that may have been sent from local hospitals, clinics or other agencies such as the police.

There is likely to be sensitive and personal information within your medical record. 

We are supportive of providing you with access to your record, but we wish to do this safely and make you aware that this is happening so that you can opt out, if you so wish.  

It is important to think through having access to such confidential data on your smartphone or online through the website.  If other people have access to your phone or computer, then they might be able to see that information.  

If you are in a difficult or pressured relationship, for example, you may prefer your records to remain accessible only to those treating you (with them not appearing on your smartphone or online).  

If you do not opt out of having access to your full record going forward, please be aware of the risks associated with access. Please do not share passwords or have them stored in your smartphone if you think other people might want to see them without your permission. 

It is important to remember that some documents may, at times, contain information that could be upsetting, especially if they contain news of a serious condition. It can also be a cause for worry seeing results online when it isn’t clear what the results might mean, and no one is available to ask, as can be the case during the evening or at weekends, for example.  

Sometimes people with a mental health condition might prefer not to see documents that remind them of difficult times in their life. Letters from mental health teams sometimes go into detail about past events, and great care would be needed in deciding whether you would want to see these letters.  

Great care is also needed in case private details might cause harm at home, should people in a difficult or pressured relationship be forced to show their medical record to an abusive partner. Anyone in such a position should make this clear to us at the practice, so we can take steps to keep you safe. 

From 31st October, full access going forward will be available to patients aged 18+, unless they opt out, or. In some cases, the practice may need to review the record first to minimise the risks described above, so will have kept the records from being made public.  

If you would like to opt out, please either follow the link from the patient text or call the practice. If you wished to discuss things further please contact Pat, Anna or Roisin at the practice on 01865 771313