The NHS has a ‘Digital First’ policy as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan in order to streamline the patient journey through the complexity of healthcare provision.
We use two digital access routes to our services: PATCHS and Patient Access.
Both can be accessed by the NHS App linked alongside. Well worth downloading and setting up your universal NHS Login to make life easier (there are other third party apps. also available).
We also have video consultation facilities and can also send information and documents linked to SMS messages, so please keep your phone number up to date.
Here is an overview of Online Services (and video consultations)
Online use can improve your health
The NHS Learn My Way site has useful advice on how you can use the internet to improve your health.
Become a ‘Digital Citizen’ and maybe then help spread the word and become a Digital Ambassador, teaching others to gain better access to healthcare through digital technology.
PATCHS
This is the first contact for medical or administrative advice or appointments.
It is free, you don’t need to register and you can use at any time to obtain medical advice or administrative requests (such as ordering a sick note) or queries.
There are also loads of useful advice articles to help guide you to manage your problems yourself.
Fill in an online questionnaire which prompts you about your symptoms. This is sent securely to the practice and you will receive a response normally the same day (at the latest by the end of the next working day) – quicker than booking a future appointment.
Our response might be a phone call to you (it’s great for us to have the whole story in advance), we might send a prescription to the pharmacy, arrange for some tests or send you a text or email to answer your question. Saves taking time off work and waiting to see us!
Parents can complete a PATCHS for their offspring from 6m to 18yr (under 6yrs cannot use PATCHS).
Children 16yr-18yr can complete their own PATCHS but accessed under “I want help for my child” .
Patient Access
Online services allow you to:
- book, check or cancel appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional
- order repeat prescriptions
- see parts of your health record, including information about medicines, vaccinations and test results
- see communications between your GP surgery and other services, such as hospitals
How to register for Online Services
1. Register with a letter
You can register by firstly visiting your practice in person and requesting a registration letter which will enable you to set up a full account. This needs to be requested when you visit the practice and will require identification. Once you have the letter you can then enter the details from the letter into the registration form.
2. Register without a letter
You can also register for the service online without a letter. This process will check to see if your practice uses Patient Access and create a basic account that allows you to book an appointment. To fully complete the account and get access to all services, you’ll need to take proof of identity (e.g. your driving licence or passport) the next time you visit the practice.
NHS App
You can use the NHS App to check your symptoms and get instant advice, book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your GP medical record and more.
What the NHS App does
- get advice about coronavirus – get information about coronavirus and find out what to do if you think you have it.
- order repeat prescriptions – see your available medicines, request a new repeat prescription and choose a pharmacy for your prescriptions to be sent to.
- book appointments – search for, book and cancel appointments at your GP surgery, and see details of your upcoming and past appointments.
- check your symptoms – search trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments, and get instant advice or medical help near you.
- register your organ donation decision – choose to donate some or all of your organs and check your registered decision.
- find out how the NHS uses your data – choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning.
- view parts of your GP record – including information about medication, allergies, vaccinations, previous illnesses and test results.
If you’re a patient at our practice you can use the new NHS App, a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
Get the app
Non-urgent advice: Having Problems?
You can still contact the practice by phone or in person, this is just another option, which other patients have found is more convenient and saves them time. More information including “how to” leaflets and videos of patients and why they are using GP online services are available at www.nhs.uk/gponlineservices