I order my repeat medications on the Patient Access system, running in a browser on my home PC (different GPs seem to use different apps AIUI), and up until now the screen shows my order date as well as a little pink 'Ordered in Patient Access' status indicator.
A few days after the GP approves the order (which is often the same day as my order) I get a text message from the dispensing pharmacy that the order is ready for collection. All very good!
This month there's a "Order placed outside of Patient Access" message. So does this mean a system error? Are the GP and dispensing pharmacy on different systems now? Something I've done? Something else?
I have looked for this in the so-called help pages (obviously written by people who know the computer system, rather than the foibles of the patient user community, i.e. it tells you what the system does, not what it means - e.g. see the disclaimer bit at... support.patientaccess.com/r....
TL:DR does anyone know what "Order placed outside of Patient Access" means?
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STEMI_Dave
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They complicated a simple process as you put it to increase the security/protection of your medical history etc. I would expect the NHS app to follow suit as it lacks the layered security offered by many other online services. PASSKEYS, the next generation of secure log ins, is already being rolled out by many organisations. I should add that PASSKEYS requires only face or fingertip recognition; no passwords and no third-party authentication such as Authy or text. It is also significantly more secure than the present login systems.
MY GP switched from Patient Access last year to the NHS app, though the former still seems to be partly available. I've just ordered repeat prescriptions from the GP using the latter and in checking the former to make this reply I saw a confirmation that my request had been approved. But my test results were listed only up to November. Perhaps your surgery has also switched and your requests are being re-directed from PA to the NHS app?
(I liked the way that PA showed a graph for historic results, whereas the NHS app merely lists them.)
I'm in N. Wales and I use good old paper prescriptions. I drop off my repeat request at either the surgery or local chemist and collect meds about a week later. No problem with security or people seeing your records and if there is a problem you have a human to talk to and sort it out. It works!
Dave, like many of the people below, I have switched from ordering repeat prescriptions through Patient Access to using the NHS App.. The constant changing of the ‘so called’ security protocols drove me to distraction. I use a 12 character password, complete with symbols and numbers and, my fingerprint with many sites and apps with no problems. This time last year, I paid £15, 000 to a dealership for a new car using just my fingerprint.
I complained to Patient Access about their overly complicated login systems and, in particular why they persisted in using SMS messaging, instead of WhatsApp which is encrypted at both ends. Their response response to the latter point was that ‘some older people’ (I’m 76!) found downloading and using WhatsApp difficult!!!! Of course, us wrinklies have no problems downloading and using Authenticator app!
My repeat prescriptions and medical records do not appear on NHS app and GP surgery say they can’t do anything about it! They just say use Patient access app, or email surgery with repeat request or written request in box situated outside surgery. Patient access hasn’t got my medical records on either and had to request copies from surgery (which proved inaccurate with several things missing).
The prolem seems to be with your surgery. I had to give permission for my medical records to appear on the NHS App. I had to tell the surgery that I wanted the details to be shared.
Clearly, not all surgeries are the same. You have your alternatives. I reported ny experience and MY experience only. I can’t help you.
Some people, like me, find downloading WhatsApp impossible because they don't have a smartphone. It's really important that we don't exclude people who can't, or don't want to, use certain technology from vital services.
In response to the original question (!) I don't know. PA worked ok for me yesterday.
Silver medal, you don’t have a smart phone and as such, can’t use WhatsApp. That’s OK. I’m concerned that PA’s reason for not using WhatsApp is that ‘elderly people find it difficult to use’. It’s the view that senior citizens cannot cope with technology that I object to. Why can’t they give us the option of receiving messages on SMS or WhatsApp? Other online facilities do? Further, their reason for all the convoluted login procedures is ‘security’. SMS is not secure!
When I frequently used PA, I could sign in with just my email address and password, but have just tried this and nothing happens when I click on "Sign in", though there is the option of doing so just with my NHS login (again, email and password) which does work.
I've never been asked for a fingerprint. All this security palaver is for our own good, but there's one bank that has sent me a very cheap camera with which I'm meant to take a photo of my face to access my account. Luckily I only need to do this when it matures and then my instructions are taken over the phone. But the bother would put me off having an easy-access account which I needed to use a lot.
I got fed up with the whole ordering process and asked my GP to set up a batch prescription, they can set one up (pre-approved) for up to a year at a time. So now all I do is phone the pharmacy when I'm running low and its sorted out within a day or 2.
My wife rang her surgery to change a drug. The medicines team made the change and she got the same message in Patient’s Access. I wouldn’t worry unnecessarily. Patient’s Access has been updated in recent weeks.
Some GPs use SystmOnline (previously SystmOne, and sometimes referred to as TPP if my understanding is correct - comments on a postcard welcome....), but my GP uses PA.
Patient access just stopped working for me and when I enquired they said my GP had blocked me from using it, which was absolute nonsense, there is no NHS Scotland app and my surgery doesn't use email so I have to use the old fashioned way and phone every month the same for test results. Char
My surgery recently changed the way you can order repeats as the old app was being discontinued. So off I went to get the NHS app on my computer. It wanted a picture of my drivng licence, so having found that and a working camera, and uploaded it. It then wanted access to my computer to take my picture. Absolutely not! I have qualifications in computer security and there is no way I would let access to my computer.
I dont do apps on my mobile as there is no signal here so no point.
I phoned my surgery and explained. There was a deep sign at the other end and the reply was that the NHS app is not working in Wales yet...
Could ""Order placed outside of Patient Access" just mean that it was ordered before it was due?
I was complaining to my wife about the security system on Patient Access and she said why don't you use the NHS one, it's much simpler to get into it and order appointments and medication. Now when I go to Patient Access I get asked if I want to use the NHS app or the Patient Access one. I always use the NHS one as you only have to enter your password which Google remembers for you. Has all the same features as Patient Access, but without all the login nonsense to get into it. I even complained to the Support team at Patient Access but they said they could not do anything about it. My stroke makes it more difficult for me I think.
I still use PAtient Access without all the newfangled security system. I don't check after ordering because my chemist delivers it. I ordered just this week and all was normal. It may simply have switched yo through to the NHS app
That's a problem with the pharmacist though and would happen with the NHS app too.
I like to be efficient in requesting my med's on time (only possible with PA) as that way I build (have built) up a stock that tides me over times when the pharamcist lags behind.
As my pills come in packs of 28, I have to remember to order repeats two or three days earlier in each month (except February), with an extra day for Bank Holidays and a week for Christmas/New Year. I too have a little reserve stock, which gives me a little leeway in choosing when to collect them from the pharmacy - which at last seems to have got its act together and have them ready for me four or five days after the GP has approved them; time was when I had to go for a 20-minute walk as the prescriptions were made up.
Painting thePavement, yes the change of the ‘lead time’ for our local pharmacy is the problem of the the pharmacist. Did I suggest anything else?
So, you like ‘to be efficient’ requesting your meds. Well, good for you! So do I but, I don’t need a computer app to do it for me. You see, I have a brain and can do basic maths. Doses left against time for the prescription to be signed off plus the pharmacist lead time. It’s easy! Oh, and I too keep a stock to cover any problems!
The company you point us to is actually EMIS. Just check the initials.
Pomposity? I'm saddened that you felt it appropriate to resort to ad hominem attacks.
I'm glad you are able to keep track of your repeat presciptions. Mine are too numerous and are at different intervals and perhaps I'm just too old to keep track of everything nowadays. I also use software to remind me when to look at PA. Sensible for my needs and I'm pleased you don't need to.
I'm not sure I understand your negative comment about EMIS. Yes, it is the company I linked to at Companies House. It's the company that operates Patient Access. If you don't believe me you can confirm it yourself but from the PA Terms of Use: "PATIENT ACCESS is provided by Egton Medical Information Systems Limited (“we”, “us”, “our” or “EMIS”), a company registered in England with company number 2117205 with registered offices at Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA.
The pharmacist asking for seven working days to produce prescriptions was his problem but, initially it caused problems for some patients who were unaware of the change.
We all try to not to run out of medication. I assume that is what you mean by ‘efficient’. I take twelve separate drugs per day and as I say, I I do a simple calculation. If I have 12 doses of a particular drug left, I order a fresh batch. I don’t need an app to do that for me!
I said that the ho.ding company for Patient Access was called EMIS and they are based in Leeds. I could have provided the link to Companies House and the Company Number. I could have said that the company was founded by two Yorkshire clinicians but, I didn’t see the point. I wanted to make the point that it was a private company not, part of the NHS. It is no less likely to be a victim of hacking than the NHS. If you think otherwise, look at Staffordshire and Cambridgeshire Water who, were hacked. This resulted in over a million customers having their address and bank details sold on the Dark Web and, I’m one of them and they assured us that they had ‘systems to ensure that customer’s data is safe’. As such forgive me if I’m reluctant to let a public company have control of my personal data.
I really couldn’t care less about what system you or anyone uses to process prescriptions. I simply gave the benefit of my experience. If I helped one person, I’m content with that. If you disagree, I won’t lose any sleep over that.
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