Many of the Bell Surgery’s patient services are now available for you to access safely and securely online via our website, making them available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week even when the practice is closed.
New Patients medical records access
When you register with us, we request your medical records from your previous practice. On receipt of your records, we will check your eligibility for online record access. If you are eligible, you will be given access and will be able to see your medical record from the date of registration with us.
Via the NHS App you will be able to view your medical record, see your test results and hospital letters as well as being able to request repeat prescriptions.
Children & Young People’s Online Access
Parents may find it helpful to have an online account for their children to arrange appointments and order prescriptions. An adult with parental responsibility can apply for an account on their child’s behalf until the age of 14.
Between the ages of 12-14 this access can be reviewed at the patient’s request.
At 14, online access will be automatically turned off. This is to avoid compromising a young person’s right to confidentiality surrounding their health care as they reach an age when they may wish to see a doctor without a parent present.
However, if the young person and their parent or guardian agree that they should still have online access to book appointments, order prescriptions or view medical records on their behalf, then Proxy Access can be granted.
If you are between the age of 14 & 16 years old and want to access your medical records on the NHS App you need to request this from your GP by emailing [email protected]
Age 16+ you can download and use the NHS App to access your records and order repeat prescriptions. For full details read Young People’s Access to Online Services.
NHS App features available to you
You need to prove who you are to get full access to the NHS App. With full access you can:
- use NHS 111 online to answer questions and get instant advice or medical help near you
- order repeat prescriptions and nominate a pharmacy where you would like to collect them
- book and manage appointments
- view your GP health record to see information like your allergies and medicines (if your GP has given you access to your detailed medical record, you can also see information like test results)
- book and manage COVID-19 vaccinations
- register your organ donation decision
- choose how the NHS uses your data
- view your NHS number (find out what your NHS number is)
Access to your medical record is from 01/11/2023 or from the date of your 16th birthday or from the date of your registration with our Surgery.
If there is a specific entry in your records you would like to see that is not visible via the NHS App, please email [email protected] with your request. If you would like to have access to earlier records than those visible you need to make a Subject Access Request to [email protected] with the heading ‘SARS’ as the email subject.
eConsult
eConsult allows you to complete an interactive online form and contact the surgery directly with a medical query or an administrative matter e.g. letters, copies of records etc.
We will respond to your query by the end of the next working day.
Online Proxy Access
You choose who you want to give online Proxy access to. This could be your carer, partner, parent or another family member. You can also give access to more than one person. Giving access to another person is your choice. No-one can go to your GP surgery and ask for access to your online services without your permission.
If you are the parent of any children aged 14-16 years old you will need to fill in a ‘proxy’ access form with their permission to book appointments, order prescriptions and view their medical records.
Click here for further details about Proxy Access.
Abuse of the Online System
Abuse of the system includes, but is not exclusive to the following:
- Sending needless or abusive messages to the Practice
- Repeatedly booking and cancelling appointments
- Repeatedly booking appointments over a short period of time
- Booking appointments and not attending them
- Any offensive or abusive messages through the service
- Requesting prescriptions that you do not need.
Security
Using the most up-to-date version of your web browser also improves security of information. Remember to close the browser after use, especially if someone else could access your computer.
We take the security of your information very seriously. Our clinical systems provider ensures that the information you provide when using the online services portal is protected. All communications with the web site are encrypted, using the same high security that major banks use for their internet transactions (128 bit SSL). Only you can see the personal information you enter.