GP online services

You can now book (or cancel) appointments and renew your prescriptions at a time to suit you, thanks to GP online services.

You don’t have to call or visit the practice, simply access services via your computer, smartphone or tablet – whenever or wherever it’s convenient for you. You can also download an app for smartphones or tablets which gives you the same access as the website. For more details about the app, ask at your practice or visit their website.

Accessing services online has other benefits too. If you’re living with a long-term health condition such as diabetes, you can have greater involvement in your healthcare by being able to access test results and keep track of your treatment online.

Online services work alongside traditional methods of accessing GP services. Having the option for people to access services in this way makes it easier for others to get through on the phone to their practice during busy periods.

If you’d like to register for GP online services you’ll need to fill out a form at your practice and you may be asked for two forms of ID, one of which should have a photo (such as a UK passport or driving licence) and the other should have your address (such as a council tax bill). This is to make sure that you only see your record and not someone else’s.

For more information about GP online services visit the NHS website here www.nhs.uk/GPonlineservices

Some additional resources have been produced by NHS England and are available here www.england.nhs.uk/publication/gp-online-services-easy-read-guides/

Videos

NHS England has produced a series of videos about GP online service, previously known as ‘patient online’. Three of the videos are detailed below but more are available on YouTube.

The Swan Practice in Buckingham started offering online test results to their patients in August 2015.

• How GP online services have enabled Hugh, who is registered blind, to manage his health conditions better.
• Kim, who already books appointments and orders his repeat prescriptions online, is looking forward to being able to see his detailed GP records.

Find out more about the experiences of local patients in North Kirklees who have used the GP online service here.

The Be Online campaign is being supported by Learn My Way, an online learning platform full of courses, resources and tools to help people do everything from learn the basics of using email and online searches, to finding digital tools to help them find work, improve their health and manage their money. Visit www.learnmyway.com to find out how it could help you or someone you know.