The NHS app

[Happyrosie]

there have been a few posts over the last few months where posters have mentioned in passing that they don’t have access to their medical records or to the NHS app.

Anyone who posts here is a little bit tech savvy … otherwise we wouldn’t be posting here …. so my suggestion is that people in this community consider downloading the app.

For those of us using Apple, you go to the App Store and input “NHS to the search box then download.

you can order your prescription, look at your test results, and, depending on your surgery, can do other things.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I do not have the app but I am signed into mine via my laptop

I would be lost without been able to get on and order my meds as well as I find it very interesting what has been noted down

So for those that do not like apps you can still do it via your laptop we just had to ask for a code from our Doctors surgery and we were soon up and running

Hope you and your Husband are keeping well x

[scentedgardener in reply to BeKind28-]

I can find it interesting, but more often disturbing. The inaccuracies are beyond belief. I found out I had attended a diabetic clinic at the surgery, and had had a diabetic eye screening, apparently. I am not, nor have ever been, diabetic.I also find instances where they claim to have discussed things like "anti lipid therapy" but no such thing has occurred.

I have mentioned it to the practice manager but it is still happening.

[Vms49 in reply to scentedgardener]

I too struggle with inaccuracies at one point mine read “this patient has been diagnosed with heart failure suggest palliative care (all my reports from the cardiologist have clearly said “ heart remarkably healthy only problem appears to be aortic valve ) they removed the first but have never explained why it was on mine I believe it was meant for someone else

[scentedgardener in reply to Vms49]

It's certainly an eye opener, isn't it. The clinical pharmacist has claimed to work out my "eGFR clearance using patient's actual weight." They must be SO clever as I haven't been weighed by anyone but me for at least 4 years. And don't get me started on what a GP writes, as opposed to what actually happens, the kindest interpretation I can put on it is a huge difference in communication skills.

[Alicant in reply to scentedgardener]

I found that..saying we’d had discussions on things when we hadn’t.Or had consultation when we hadn’t…They get paid for every interaction..like saying you’ve visited GP when you’ve only seen a receptionist!

[scentedgardener in reply to Alicant]

Yes, and saying the patient has been informed regarding blood tests and the doctor says they want to speak to you, when all they've done is put a note on the blood test results on the app.

[Happyrosie in reply to Alicant]

Im. It sure they get paid for every interaction. They DO get paid if (for example) a patiene’s blood pressure is within normal limits. This is called QOF - Quality Outcomes Framework. Introduced around twenty years ago.

When I was a girl, the doc got paid two shillings for each visit we made to him and a half-crown if he had to make a home visit.

[BeKind28- in reply to scentedgardener]

Hello

I totally agree the inaccuracies are a real surprise and I am forever telling them yet they don't change them

Even when you have phoned in and read what you have supposed to have said it is totally not what you have said so I phone back and let them know and again even though they wont change what they have put they have to note on my records I phoned and said it was totally wrong

I often wonder before we could see all this years ago in the past what had they wrote on our notes that is not correct would make good reading I suspect

Hope you are keeping well x

[scentedgardener in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi, you are more charitable than me, I find it infuriating. I can accept human error but so much of this is outright lying.Thanks for your thoughtful enquiry, life had been pretty challenging, not only my own struggles but my sister was desperately ill and not expected to live. She has survived, but not undamaged, and we are still discovering what is likely to improve and what can't be changed.

Hope you're able to enjoy your garden during the summer, I've done a little in mine, but not much.

[BeKind28- in reply to scentedgardener]

Hello

I am not sure if I am charitable but just give up on them as you cannot win or that is what I find

Getting in the garden has been a bit hit and miss due to the weather

I am so very sorry to hear about your Sister what a difficult time for you all I do hope the outcome is the best it can be and sending my Best Wishes to you all x

[Hrty]

It can take a while to get full access to your records but, IMHO, it's worth doing. I have the app on my phone and can download copies of test results, appointments, letters, etc. I had my annual check up with the GP the other day and could see the blood test results the next day.

I can also access my records via the NHS Website now that I have a login

[SandraLlew]

I was invited to download the NHS Wales app and after filling in loads of personal info was told that the app did not apply to Wales. Somewhat typical here I'm afraid.

[Thanksnhs in reply to SandraLlew]

Same as Scotland, I wish we could access our records and order prescriptions online. Char

[serenfach in reply to SandraLlew]

I too did this, going through from the Wales NHS site. It wanted a photo of my driving licence and then access to my computer to take a photo of me. Absolutely not.

My surgery did not know what the numbers I needed were about. Still have to phone for repeat prescriptions, results etc, and that is only open for an hour a day, and constantly engaged.

[Happyrosie in reply to serenfach]

You are allowed to PHONE for repeat prescriptions?????? A no-no here!

[serenfach in reply to Happyrosie]

Yes, you are allowed to phone, as no one answers so being allowed is OK. Getting the repeat prescription is like fighting fog.

[Hidden]

I do have the app, but, dont use it, one of my rules that I stick too rigidly is not to look at my medical records. Works for me.

[mingsbeard]

I have had the app a long time. In my experience its useless. Only thing I can see and do is order repeat meds and book the odd appointment to see doc, IF there is any left. Even past appointments dont show in the app.

[soppysokes in reply to mingsbeard]

you have to specially request access to the fuller detail otherwise it will justallow the basics which is what you appear to have at the moment.

[Scotsman53]

England only

[Murderfan58]

I had the app since Covid made my life easier plus when having blood tests all the results appeared with full explanation of them and charts showing where you are on the range per test. Makes ordering tablets easy no going to GP with repeat prescription and tells you when it's been approved and sent to pharmacy. Plus a list of anything you are allergic to , and repeat prescription and other tablets you have had in the past. All appointments for GP or hospital. So easy to set up even I could do it.🤣

[Freshorangejuice]

The NHS app is fine for repeat prescriptions and looking at some of your medical records. And I do say some, as reports of your echocardiograms, cardiac CT scans etc are not included and remain with the cardiologist. Blood tests are reported though with full details and charts enabling you to see whether you are in the "normal" range and therefore no action is required.

[Cruise1]

On the NHS app my prescription meds are years out of date, no medical records or test results. Been to GP who say they cant do anything about it.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I think it's only for England, we don't seem to have anything like that in Scotland unfortunately, I still have to phone for my rather large prescription every month 😕at one point I did use patient access but I had so much trouble with it I thought I was going to need another new heart,😅 we also have to phone for appointments. I really wish we had an easier way of doing things. I am not sure if NI and Wales have an app. Char

[Alicant]

you also have to ask your surgery to put them on …I believe

[fishonabike]

fine but the information has to be entered and not all GP surgeries are up to speed with this - past records are often minimal

also in some areas once you sign up for the online service you no longer receive postal notifications - this is not appropriate for everyone, but often it means a loss of choice

[Geoff51 Heart Star]

I have the NHS App on my phone although I dont order Prescriptions in gives me a lot of useful information on repeats and past prescriptions. It also is supposed to give you the chance to book an appointment with your GP but that is a vain hope. I tried to book an appointment at both of the surgeries in our GP group for my badly swollen feet and ankles, but was told i could not book in advance despite the instruction from my Cardiologist to keep a close eye on my heart condition and I had to join the scramble at 8.30 the next day for a on the day appointment. I also have an app on my laptop called My Medical Record from Southampton University Hospital group which gives you a copy of any letter from the Hospital to your GP, results of any tests at the hospital and any future appointments at the Hospital. I dont know whether this is available at all hospitals or just ours,

[Happyrosie in reply to Geoff51]

This one about the hospital putting information on - it’s a thing initiated (as I understand) by a hospital Trust.

other things are controlled by doc’s surgery.

As far as records being wrong goes, you’ll remember the good old days when everything was in a shabby sort of envelope and things got lost. About fifteen or twenty years ago medical students were employed via surgeries to computerise everything, so no wonder mistakes were made. These poor students had to read doctor’s handwriting! But I’ve checked my records and my husband's and everything seems to be correct. More or less. Stuff missing from our teens and twenties.

[Alison_L]

I have the app but my GP has yet to catch up and put things on it. I can order repeat prescriptions but not much else 😢

[Taviterry]

I have the NHS GP app and one for my NHS hospital and find the information I can access on them is OK, with blood-test results appearing within two working days. But at the moment I'm trying to get my TAVI records transferred from the hospital where I had the op to my local one where I was diagnosed and where I hope to have annual assessments. My surgeon said that this couldn't be done at my request because of confidentiality requirements and that my local one would need to apply for the transfer. The local one said it was up to me to make the request ... And both hospitals are within the same health authority. (Yes, I did want a minor whinge!)