Patient Access

[Balsam]

Anybody else on Patient Access and not able to open their documents folder? It was blocked by the GP about fifteen months ago. I don’t know why. I have asked them to enable it. The won’t .

[Straddie]

Patient Access has driven me mad in the last few days. I always order my prescriptions each month on a Sunday. This time they introduced a new security check, asking me for my memorable word. Of course I had no idea. They did send me a link, but to an email address I no longer use. Not their fault: I had failed to update it. Their support team was of no use. All I really needed to know was how to update my email address. But I was sent reams of info which had nothing to do with the questions I asked. At one time, they sent me a screenshot of what a home page looked like once I had signed in. But I can’t sign in, I replied. That is the problem. In the end I went to the GP’s practice who cancelled my account and helped me start a new one.This time I have written down my memorable word ( now, if only I could remember where I wrote it).

[ZM1980]

Hi, I use the Patient Access app and am unable to open documents, as a message pops up re needing another app to open files - do you get this message? You can download an app to open PDF/other files, but if it's the case that your GP has blocked access, they should reset this, as you are entitled to see/access your medical records and hospital/consultant letters. You can also request your full medical records.

I would contact your GP surgery again and request they give you access, if they decline, ask them why.

Hope this helps

[katieoxo60 in reply to ZM1980]

The last time I requested my records I had to use the legal process at a big cost and only got a few recent documents from GPs records. I thought you have the right to see all medical documents free I am advised they belong to the patient in technicality. Seems the computer decides what you can access and its nothing personal, in my experience.

[cofdrop-UK]

I joined Patient Access and hate it. Never use it now but still get emails from Sarah Jarvis. You can’t leave messages never mind read notes apart from the ones which were addressed to you and so have anyway. Don’t need it for prescriptions or appointments and I get sick to death of everyone pushing everything done on the internet, especially when the service is so p poor. Xx

[katieoxo60 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

I totally agree with you , its a disaster rather than make things easeir its just made it more confusing . I only want to access my own records not all the NHS sites and varied surgeries. Instead I have to spend 20 minutes on the phone to get a prescription ordered and ring and queue individually for each appointment or query this must take more of the receptionist time up surely. Online was supposed to take pressure off the surgeries and make important points available to other medical staff quickly. I've just been sent a steroid medical card on my phone but can't print it off from my phone. To spite the wait on phone it is still easier than signing in to the online site.

[peege]

Perhaps something to do with NHSDIGITAL getting ready to put all the records out there. If I can't see my personal records ain't no-one else going to either 🤯

[katieoxo60 in reply to peege]

Now thats good thinking peege (smiles)

[MoyB]

I last used Patient Access two weeks ago and appreciate that things can change in that time (where computers are concerned, they can change in an instant!).

I find the service invaluable for ordering medication and checking upcoming appointments. However, that's as good as it gets as nothing else seems to be 'enabled'. The medical records show virtually nothing except to say that someone accessed your record on such and such date. It is noted that I am not able to take several medications, but other than that, nothing at all.

I am happy to use it for prescriptions, though, as it suits me very well. xx Moy

[Bkin]

I have on'line access, can view test results, order repeat prescription and message surgery but cannot book any appointments still. Its telephone appointment only when you can get through to reception that is.

[Balsam in reply to Bkin]

Thanks. Do you have a Documents folder? Letters from hospital etc would be in there? Mind was there until last year when the GP removed It. Don’t know why. There is nothing secret in there and it is an NHS requirement that all records are open to patients.

[Bkin in reply to Balsam]

I've just checked Balsam it doesn't appear I have a documents folder named in my access, I have Summary Patient Record and Vaccination records. I shall have to enquire about the Documents Folder some time. I do have in Messages a drop down listing doctors name, I don't see my consultants name there but then I've not seen him for over 3 years now.

[Balsam in reply to Bkin]

Thank you Bkin

[Izb1]

Apart from ordering prescriptions this is a waste of time. My surgery wont allow patients to use it for checking test results, making an appointment or any of the other things it was set up to do. I set myself up on the nhs app to see if i could access blood test results but even that is connected to patient access.

[skischool in reply to Izb1]

Mine is exactly the same Irene,a complete waste of time and needs to be challenged grrrrrrr.

🙃😻 x

[Izb1 in reply to skischool]

This is so unlike you Mike, you are usually so laid back lol. I cant stand asking our receptionist what my results are and her stock answer is ok, ask about crp /esr and she hasnt a clue x

[skischool in reply to Izb1]

It should be renamed Patient non access but it's not the system it is the Gp's that hide behind it and don't allow access to do anything,all we are allowed to do is ring the surgery at 08.00hrs,wait while the phone is permanently engaged and then be told that no slots are available and to try again tomorrow.double grrr Lol.x

[Annie31]

I am able to order my repeat prescriptions by telephone to a County Prescription Service that my surgery subscribes to and it is delivered to my nearest pharmacy. No problem there! I am about to ask for access to my records at the surgery. Looking on their website there is no mention of this "Patient Access" as mentioned on this post but it is in the surgery's mission statement that they do this and recognize it is the patients right to have access to their records. So we will see!

[Izb1 in reply to Annie31]

Please let us know how you get on with this, as although we have a right we are unable to use those rights x

[Annie31 in reply to Izb1]

It seems from what I've read on here that it's just paying lip service once again. We make the rules but just try and follow them!

[Ergendl]

I used to book appointments as well as order prescriptions on Patient Access. Now when I try to book an appointment, the system tells me I have used up all my allowance of appointments, as if I am the guilty one. In fact, it is my GP who has blocked access except through the receptionist triage system. And now I'd better stop before I go into an irrelevant rant.

[Annie31 in reply to Ergendl]

That's so not right! What are these GPs being paid for?!

[Ergendl in reply to Annie31]

When I finally got through to the triage receptionist, she said, 'No more appointments are available for today.' I said that was OK, I will book the next available routine appointment. That will not be for over 3 weeks, in July.There's a story going round South Cheshire of a London GP who only goes to her surgery 1 day a week and spends the rest of her time in her holiday home in east Wales, covering patients' phone appointments. We are not impressed. But it's no wonder GPs don't want to go back to normal.

[Annie31 in reply to Ergendl]

Well I'm speechless!