The first thing you will note is that you can receive messages from both the practice and the NHS. The ones I have received so far have been about vaccinations. A good reminder.
The next section is your GP health record, sub-divided into:
- Allergies and adverse reactions
- Medicines
- Immunisations
- Health conditions
- Test results
- Consultations and events
- Documents
This is probably one of the most important sections of the App from my point of view. I will give a fuller review, below.
The next section is: View and manage Prescriptions. I love this facility (It saves you trailing out on a wet, windy day to put your prescription in - and think of all that CO2 that you save leaving the car in the drive!). Not only can you view your current prescriptions, you can re-order them. Just remember to indicate in the box at the bottom, which practice you wish to use for picking up your medicines. If you have any queries about your regular prescription, you can put a note in here, too.
The next section is: Book or manage a coronovirus (Covid 19) vaccination. This takes you to the NHS website, where you can choose where and when to get your next jab.
The next section is: Book or manage a 'Flu vaccination. This takes you to the NHS website again.
The rest of the sections provide links to things like the NHS 111 service, The NHS symptom sorter, managing an account for someone else (children or other dependents), and for those interested in taking part in research.
Of these sections I find the GP Health Record section and the Prescription sections the most useful. Granted, I have a little bit of medical knowledge, so reading the results of tests does not confuse or panic me (It would bother some people - so bear this in mind). It is also the area which improvements could be made, in my opinion. For instance - I had an Xray some months back. I hadn't heard anything, so I assumed nothing needed doing. However, when I read the results, I realised that I probably should have rung up for the results and discussed my options with the doctor. Anyway. it was all resolved quickly, and I now have an appointment to see a specialist early next year. It might have been useful for there to be some sort of indication on my record that I needed to contact the surgery to do this. Something for the NHS online team programme writers to consider.
As I have said before, I love the online Prescription ordering section. Very handy if you live some way from the practice or have mobility issues.
In our area, which covers three practices serving people living in villages and remote areas, I see the advantages of more online contact between patients and their GPs. Anything that makes communication easier has to be a good thing. Online services are a powerful new tool for us to use, especially for those who have no transport or live in remote places. As mobile and internet connections gradually improve, I see a real benefit from using these sort of digital services.
So how can you access this service?
First you have to log on. You can download the mobile app for free from the Google play website: NHS App - Apps on Google Play For those, like me, who like to keep their smartphone free from additional apps you can login on the NHS website at https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/patient. Now to log in you will need your NHS account details (which you probably setup during the Covid-19 pandemic), viz : the email address that you used to set up the account, and of course your password. If you haven't already set up an online NHS account, you can do so here Enter your email address (login.nhs.uk). You will need your NHS number (this is on your prescription docket), a mobile phone (for the security number) and an email address. You will need to make up a password - make it a good one - you don't everyone looking at your health records!
I hope you find the app as useful as I have! BA
