Access Your Medical Records Using GP at Hand

Following the pandemic of 2020, more people than ever have been accessing their GP and other health services online. So, it should come as no surprise that in 2023, there will be the option for NHS patients to access their medical records and meet with doctors using an app that is downloadable for smartphones – GP at Hand.

Here, we will walk you through how to sign up for the app and the benefits of being able to access all of your medical files from home. 

How To Sign Up

So, how do you sign up for this service?

It is simple and ensures that you can get access to the care you need when you need it (including online video consultations with GPs and nurses), as well as having access to your medical records on the go.

To register, you must need to follow three simple steps. 

1. Click on www.nhs.gp.net and click on the register button to register online for GP at Hand. 
2. Fill out your details, such as your address, your NHS number, and the name of your current GP surgery and doctor. 
3. That’s it! Click the Next button, and you will now have access to all of your online medical records. 

Benefits of Signing Up for GP at Hand

So, why is it worth having online access to copies of your medical records? Or having access to a GP surgery from your phone?

For one thing, it prevents the need for travel. Your GP practice may not be close by, and, following a long day at work, you may not want to have to go into the surgery to get access to a care service or to get your test results. With the online services that NHS England can offer, you can access your health records with the click of a button, book an appointment with your GP, or reorder a repeat prescription. 

It is also safe. All records are confidential and are protected by the general data protection regulation GDPR. Before you can access your medical records, you will need to provide information like your contact details and NHS number so your NHS GP or Primary Care Support England will know that it is you who wants access to the GP record. This may require a facial scan via your smartphone, as well as putting in a password and PIN.

Having an NHS app where you can do all of this also saves time. You don’t have to call your GP surgery to access your medical files, as the online record includes information that you will need for most legal proceedings or work-related meetings. Also, it allows you to look after your own health and care on the go, ensuring that all appointments are booked and that all of your prescriptions are ordered. It also allows the NHS staff at your GP surgery to focus their time on more crucial tasks than putting through repeat prescriptions, making the service better for everyone and speeding up waiting times on the phone and in surgery.

If you have any questions about signing up for GP at Hand, feel free to contact us.