Successfully registered for online access to GP medical records, repeat prescriptions and booking appointments...

[Clutter]

I had to complete a paper application form and take into GP reception but there was no problem with lack of photo id as a council tax bill and utility bill were accepted as proof of id.

A week later I received practice id, patient id and instructions how to register and create a username and password with Vision Online Services. Registered several times but never received emails to confirm activation. Suspecting a typo in the email addy I spent 20 minutes with the practice manager attempting registration again. When I asked to see the email addy he transcribed from my written form he had made a typo and apologised profusely.

Finally succesfully registered. No ability to see medical records yet or past prescribing history. 3 of the 4 prescriptions I get repeated are available for ordering online. The 4th, which I've previously ordered on the practice web form being discontinued, is not available for online ordering and I'm advised to contact my GP to reorder it. Not at all pleased

I couldn't see any available appointments but my practice allocates 1/3 of appointments to auto telephone system between 6-8am for same day appts and when I looked online early this morning appts were available for this morning but appointments can't be booked in advance, one still has to contact a receptionist to book appts a week in advance.

Feeling quite underwhelmed so far.

[PinkNinja]

Ours is a little underwhelming too apart from the section where I can see my blood test results complete with reference ranges! This makes me happy From the tests I had, I can see that my iron and ferritin need looking into as RBC, haematocrit and haemoglobin are low normal but I was right to increase my dose of t3. Very empowering!

[Clutter in reply to PinkNinja]

Carolyn, I suspect it will be some time before I can access any GP medical records, just don't think they're geared up yet. Thyroid bloods are done at the hospital so I don't get to see those until my endo consultation and GP only sees them if he notes them on the post clinic letter.

[PinkNinja in reply to Clutter]

That's annoying

[Ruthi]

We've had this for the better part of a year, it sounds like the same system (is the login page orange?)

A few appointments are released for online booking, but that is their choice. Its all a part of the fact that they can't, even in the home counties, recruit enough GPs. This is just about the only way I can get to see my chosen GP, and the last time I had a shopping list of four things, and managed to book a double appointment!

Repeats are there, but I don't take any of their poison any more.

So-called medical history is a joke, most of it is blank, even the results that have come in since the system came in. What is the point of recording that I had a bone density scan if it doesn't give me the result? But I am promised that it will be better in time.

[Clutter in reply to Ruthi]

Ruthi, no the log in page is blue and white. There doesn't appear to be a way of booking a double appointment online, I expect I'd have to call reception if I needed it. Absolutely no summary or test results available as yet.

[galathea in reply to Clutter]

Not using systmonline are they?

[Clutter in reply to galathea]

Galathea, Vision Online Services.

[galathea]

Yep, we have a system like that at my docs. This is the docs where they cannot manage to find a third partner. And the nurse practitioner left last week after telling me how awful the docs were to the new partners they keep finding. The other nurse left as well. And when I called in yesterday with a letter for the doc, they told me they were unable to send emails for the past week.

On the page of the website where you an re order repeat meds, is a box where you can leave a message. I make good use of this and have no qualms about writing notes to the docs. Everyone sees it, but that is not a problem..... In fact I hope it embarrasses the doc into action!

Can only book appointments and order meds. Cannot see results or files. I tried to get in to the docs on Monday morning. My phone started dialling at 8.04 am and it gave up after 60 redials with no reply. I got through on a different number but all appointments were gone.

I feel embarrassed for them.

[Clutter in reply to galathea]

Galathea, mine is a large teaching practice but turnover of staff is very low so it must be reasonably pleasant to work there.

The practice tel system is a nightmare, often cutting one off after waiting 10 minutes and the auto tel system is quite hit an miss. I hope online booking will be easier.I've rarely been unable to see any doctor if I've rung before 8am but appts are usually gone by 8.15 and it can take a few days to see the doctor of my choice.

There is half a page of red bold type warning that online booking will be withdrawn if a booking isn't cancelled 3 hours in advance of appointment. Not very friendly but really not much excuse not to cancel in a timely manner when appointments are made same day.

I haven't ordered repeats yet so I don't know whether there is a message box. Previously the practice feedback webform was the way to contact via email. I'm not sure whether they will be moving away from that now the new service is partially live.

[helvella]

The only things I can do are:

Order prescriptions (but I could already do that - and the old system seems to be still available) - and the first one I ordered disappeared without trace.

Send messages. Which never get answered.

Still, I had a minor feeling of revenge when the EMIS Patient Access system offered a survey. My answers, should anyone ever read them, should be depressing reading. They had the imbecile cheek to ask how much Patient Access is worth to me, offering values in the range £0 to £10000. My comment said its value so far had been negative.

[Clutter in reply to helvella]

Helvella, value will be less than that if I have to schlep to the surgery or telephone the pharmacy to order 1 of 4 prescriptions when all were previously available for order on the practice webform.

[shaws]

No wonder you're underwhelmed. You must have been quite hopeful at first.

[Clutter in reply to shaws]

Shaws, so far, added value it ain't!

[bobsmydog]

haha, better than ours though - I can't even view surgery timetable on the website - the link is broken

[Clutter in reply to bobsmydog]

Bobsmydog, tel system used to go down with monotonous regularity but I'm only aware of the practice website crashing once. 'Twas quite chaotic for a couple of days.

[bobsmydog in reply to Clutter]

I'm sure they will all move into the 21st century at some point in time!

[Clutter in reply to bobsmydog]

Bobsmydog, how very positive of you

[BeansMummy]

I've recently managed to register too, although I can't access Vision Online on my laptop at all, I have no idea why and have to use another computer.

I haven't attempted to book an appointment or repeat prescriptions yet, but truly hope that the system works, but I keep hearing stories of total failure. There's never any appointments available when I ring, so goodness knows how it will work booking online.

I was so disappointed that I can't access any medical records as yet, although I am, apparently, allergic to a certain drug, which was news to me.

My surgery has said that they are "working" on sorting out the access. That was my main reason for registering, as I thought I would be able to see (old) test results etc.

[Clutter in reply to BeansMummy]

Beansmummy, I believe NHS England plan to have roll out completed by 2018 but I hope medical records will be available to those of us who have enrolled before then. I have paper copies of GP records prior to 2014. Really hoping that hospital records may be available sometime too.

[BeansMummy in reply to Clutter]

My surgery have been pretty good at giving me printed copies of my test results, when I ask, but I would like to see some of my older records. I'm not waiting till 2018 though, I might just ask them for a nice set for my birthday