NHS England: Automatic Access to GP Records

[DJR1]

It has been announced today that all Systems that support GP Practices within NHS England will move to AUTO SWITCH ON of patients prospective digital medical records from APRIL 2022.

This will apply initially to TPP and EMIS systems. Practices that use VISION have not finalised arrangements.

This is excellent news as application for enhanced access will not be required, confusion on how to configure systems and outright refusal by some GP Practices will be swept away. You will see your test results, consultation details etc after they have been checked by the GP. A time limit will be announced for checking results.

This is a step in the right direction for those of us who want to see our records and results. Historical record access will still need to be requested as described in the GP contract. However there are plans to make historical access requests via the NHS App in the future.

Unfortunately the live switch on was originally 1 December but GP objected to the short notice but nevertheless April is not too long to wait. We are getting there!

Additional information -

digital.nhs.uk/services/nhs...

[jimh111]

Nice to see the NHS moving into the 20th century! Let's hope they don't throw away tens of billions of pounds on this software like they did with choose and book.

[DJR1 in reply to jimh111]

No new software is needed, it’s adjusting the settings on all systems to allow patients to see their GP digital record. Many of us have full record access already but it has been dependent on individual GP Practices allowing access.

[jimh111 in reply to DJR1]

Thanks. When I was a computer programmer the profession were tearing their hair out in despair at the amount of money going to consultancies for a project that was way too large to suceed. So, I have an inbuilt mistrust of the NHS and computing.

[Ness21]

I have access to my GP records, via the App, it's been very helpfull.

[Zephyrbear]

It would be nice to know whether Wales will follow suit… I can only order repeat prescriptions online here. Can’t even make appointments anymore. 😡

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Zephyrbear]

I think that people in the other three nations might consider writing to their MS, MSP or whatever, and health boards, etc.

[serenfach]

If I remember correctly, Wales went for one programme, loaded it and started running with it. The programme owners then said pay us more money. Wales said no. The price rise was in the contract but no one spotted it.

There are now at least 3 different software programmes running in Wales, and it seems as though it is too expensive to change, despite patients only being able to get repeat prescriptions and nothing else. I did ask the MP and got (after a long wait) the answer that they were looking into it, which of course means they are not doing anything.