It is quite clear that patients have the legal right to access their medical records. There are limits such as if it is thought that they could harm the patient. But that sort of exception is supposed to be rare.
It is also clear that the Data Protection Act 2018, the Information Commissioner’s Office, NHS public documents, all state that patients can access their records by some of request to the GP surgery, hospital or other body. Usually, a simple request – preferably written – should be sufficient.
However, when we step beyond these established standards into online (digital) access, the issues get more complex and confusing.
(This is about GP surgery and patient record access and not the specific Covid and vaccination certificate systems.)
The first issue is that there are four NHS organisations – one for each of the home nations. For that reason, each is discussed separately.
NHS England 🏴
NHS England has a full phone app. There are also several non-NHS apps which provide similar facilities.
Facilities include appointment booking, repeat prescription ordering and access to your medical records.
However, there are ongoing issues which limit access at some GP surgeries.
The NHS England app is available for Android and Apple devices. At time of writing, the Apple version of the app only works on iPhone and iPad - not macOS.
You can also access NHS App services from the browser on your desktop or laptop computer.
Use the NHS App to:
• get your NHS COVID Pass
• get advice about coronavirus
• order your repeat prescriptions
• book and manage appointments at your GP surgery
• get health information and advice
• view your health record securely
• register your organ donation decision
• find out how the NHS uses your data
If your GP surgery or hospital offers other services in the NHS App, you may be able to:
• message your GP surgery, doctor or health professional online
• consult a GP or health professional through an online form and get a reply
• access health services on behalf of someone you care for
• view your hospital and other healthcare appointments
• view useful links your doctor or health professional has shared with you
NHS Northern Ireland
I can find no information about any NHS Northern Ireland app.
Online access provides only appointment booking and repeat prescription ordering.
NHS Scotland 🏴
I can find no information about any NHS Scotland app and have been told that there isn't one.
There is no online appointment booking
Repeat prescriptions can be ordered online.
Test results and medical records are not available online.
Hospital results have to be got by phoning the hospital.
At least some GP surgeries support video consultation using Attend Anywhere.
NHS Wales 🏴
The NHS England phone app has been taken on by NHS Wales as the start point for their own app. One obvious requirement has been to support Welsh language.
At present this app is being rolled out. It is unclear which surgeries have enabled access and what they have allowed patients to access.
A website version is also available allowing access through a similar password protected and safe process.
GP Surgeries in Wales provide access via My Health Online which allows appointment booking and repeat prescription ordering.
Other Access
Over the years there have been many smaller-scale online systems which have been established for specific care areas. These might have online access, indeed, they might have released special apps. But there is no national-level information about these systems.
Third Party Access
There are several non-NHS options.
Evergreen Life
https://www.evergreen-life.co.uk/
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