Update from 1st November 2022
PLEASE NOTE: 30th November 2022 - There has been a further delay in allowing auto-full prospective access to your medical records as detailed below but you can still sign up for online access via the NHS APP. See below for instructions on how to do this.
Patients who registered with us before 1st November 2022:
Will automatically see all their future full online medical records (from 1st November 2022) on the NHS APP
Patients who register with us after the 1st November 2022:
Will be given automatic online access to their future full medical records from the date that we register you on the NHS APP
How do I get Online Access?
No need to contact us, simply download and sign up online via the NHS APP. The NHS APP will take you through security questions and once access is granted, you will be able to see your full medical records.
(Note: there are other online apps available such as NHS APP, Patient Access, MyGP, evergreen life, systmonline, MyWay, Livi, Digi.me - we do not have any association directly with these apps, as they are third party software and it is patient's choice to choose their preferred app - advice on this page would be the same regardless of app you chose)
*if you were an active patient with us before 1st November 2022, you will see your full records from 1st November onwards.
*if you joined us after 1st November 2022, you will only see full medical records from the date that we registered you with our practice
If you had access to full records at your previous practice, you will lose this right and only see full records from the date of registration with us.
If you wish to have a copy of your historic medical record you would need to submit a Subject Access Request (SAR)
I have signed up and I cannot see my online medical records, how do I get access?
First, if you already have an account with another practice, please delete your online account via the NHS App, and then delete the app and reinstall; then create a new account.
If problems continue, please complete the below form highlighting what messages you are receiving and any other information so we can look into this.
Note: We may ask you to contact the NHS APP, (or, the app you have chosen) directly depending on our investigations, or, you may be asked to have a face to face appointment with a GP or the Online Access Lead to discuss your online access request
I cannot sign up on the NHS APP, it is not recognising my details or ID?
First, are you a pre-existing user? Please use the 'forgot logins details' on the app
If not, we recommend deleting the app, and try signing up again.
If problems continue, please complete the below form highlighting the issues you are experiencing so we can look into this for you and issue you with a linkage key.
Note: We may ask you to contact the NHS APP, (or, the app you have chosen) directly depending on our investigations, or, you may be asked to have a face to face appointment with a GP or the Online Access Lead to discuss your online access request
I do not want automatic online access to my records
Online access is automatically granted from 1st November 2022 onwards by the NHS system.
If you wish to stop your online account being available, complete the form below, and we happily switch this off for you.
If you wish to switch it back on at a later date, resubmit the form below and tick 'reactivate my online access' option, we will then activate your online account to either 1st November 2022 or from the date of registeration.
Note: you may be asked to have a face to face appointment with a GP or the Online Access Lead to discuss your reactivation for online access request
I am being coerced, threatened, or forced to get online access or you believe someone else has unauthorised access to your online account?
Let us know as soon as possible either on 020 3474 6730 or during your consultation with a clinician, to a receptionist and we will stop your online access immediately.
If you are at risk of harm and need urgent support or advice, contact us or Refuge – Against domestic abuse or call them on 0808 2000 247 for free 24:7
What else can I do on the NHS APP?
Not only can you see you medical record, you can order repeat prescriptions, access your vaccine history, seek medical advice, updating your details and book appointments.
Keeping your username and password safe
Amersham Vale Practice has a responsibility to look after your GP records in the practice. You must also take care online and make sure your personal information is not seen by anyone who should not see it.
When you register to use Online Services, you will create your own username and password, which you will use to log in. You should not share your log in details with others.
To protect your information from other people:
- You should keep your password secret and it is best not to write it down. If you must write it down, keep a reminder of the password, not the password itself. This should be kept in a secure place.
- If you think someone has seen your password, you should change it as soon as possible. You may want to call the practice if you are not able to change it right away, for example, when you do not have access to the internet.
- You should not share your user name or password. No one should force you to show them your log in details, you have the right to say no. If someone forces you, tell the practice as soon as possible.
Using a shared computer
You need to take extra care when using a shared computer to look at your records online. This could be at the library, at work, at university or at home. To protect your personal information from others when using a shared computer.
You should:
- Look around to see if other people can see what is on the computer screen. Remember, your records contain your personal information.
- Keep your username and password secret. Just like your bank account PIN you would not want others to know how to get into your records.
- Make sure you log out when you finish looking at your records so that no one else can see your personal information or change your password without your knowledge.
Incorrect information in your records
Once access to records has been granted, patients or their proxy may dispute their accuracy or lack understanding of medical codes.
Patients or their proxy may notice and point out errors in their record, unexpected third-party references and entries they object to or want deleted. The right of rectification and erasure is established within the UK GDPR.
In the first instance that a patient wishes to raise a dispute about their medical record; the patient must submit it in writing to the practice, marking for attention of the practice manager.
Any queries will be directed to the practice who will contact the patient. They will investigate swiftly and thoroughly to identify the source and extent of the problem. This process can take up to 6 weeks.
The responsible clinician and Caldicott Guardian/data controller will then decide on the most appropriate action. Where the dispute concerns a medical entry, the clinician who made the entry should be consulted and consideration given as to whether it is appropriate to change or delete an entry.
Where it is not possible or practical to contact the clinician concerned, the Caldicott Guardian or data controller should be consulted. If it is not possible to amend the records, a meeting with the patient or their proxy should be organised to explain why.
If a patient wishes to apply their UK GDPR rights of:
- Rectification (Article 16 UK GDPR)
- Erasure (Article 17 UK GDPR)
- Restriction of processing (Article 18 UK GDPR)
- Data portability (Article 20 UK GDPR)
- Right to object (Article 21 UK GDPR)
advice must be sought be sought from the organisation’s the Caldicott Guardian or data controller.
Where it is not appropriate to amend a medical record, an entry may be made declaring that the patient disagrees with the entry. If the patient further disputes the accuracy once a decision has been made, they will be referred to the complaint’s procedure and/or the Health Ombudsmen.
Read our Access to Medical Records / Dispute Contents of Record Policy
Patients under the age of 16 cannot have their own account
Patients over the age of 16 must have their own personal email account which cannot be shared