How to see a parent's NHS App and GP record (proxy access)

Helping a mum or dad with their health is easier when you can see their GP record, book appointments and order repeat prescriptions for them. The NHS calls this family and carer access, also known as proxy access or a linked profile. It is set up by their GP surgery, with their agreement.

What proxy access is

Proxy access lets a family member or carer use someone's online GP services on their behalf. In the NHS App it is called family and carer access, and you may also see it called a linked profile.

Depending on what the surgery agrees, you may be able to book appointments, request and manage repeat prescriptions, and see test results and other parts of their GP record.

How to set it up

To link profiles in the NHS App, you and your parent must both be registered at the same GP surgery. Some surgeries are trying out an application inside the app. If your parent's surgery takes part, the Family and carer access screen shows Apply to access services for someone else.

Your parent tells their GP surgery they want you to have access.
The surgery gives you a short form. Your parent signs to confirm they agree, and chooses which services you can use.
You show the surgery identification, such as photo ID and proof of address. If you do not have these, staff may be able to check who you are another way.
The surgery checks that it is right for you to act for your parent, then decides whether to give access and at what level.
Once it is set up, your parent appears in your NHS App.

What your parent agrees to

You use your own NHS login. Never use your parent's username and password, because the surgery then cannot tell who looked at the record.

It is their choice. No one can get access to their online services without their permission.
They choose which services you can use: appointments, prescriptions, their record, or all three.
They can ask the surgery to switch off your access at any time.
They should think about whether there is anything in their record they would not want you to see.
If they feel pushed into sharing, they should tell the surgery. The surgery can refuse or end access if it thinks someone is being forced.

Using their profile in the NHS App

A yellow banner then shows 'Acting for' and their name. To go back, select Switch back to your profile in the banner, then Switch to my profile.

To change or remove access, your parent contacts their GP surgery.

Select Profile.
Select Family and carer access.
Select your parent's name.

If your parent cannot agree

Some parents can no longer make decisions for themselves. A health and welfare lasting power of attorney is a legal document that lets someone make decisions about things like daily care and medical care for a person who cannot make those decisions.

It has to be made while the person can still make their own decisions, and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. A health and welfare attorney can act just when the person is unable to decide for themselves. A lasting power of attorney is legally binding in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements.

A person with lasting power of attorney for health and welfare can ask the GP surgery for access to the patient's online services. The GP decides whether to allow it.

If you already have access and your parent later can no longer understand that they gave permission, the surgery may end it. If a parent tells their GP in advance that a particular person should never have access, the GP will respect that.

Call 999 in an emergency. For urgent advice that is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online or call 111. For questions about your test results, contact your GP surgery.

Keep your reports in one place

Take a photo or screenshot of your results, or upload the PDF, and Vita explains each number in plain words, suggests what to ask your GP, and keeps it with your past results. Vita does not connect to the NHS App or to any UK health record system, and its hospital connections are for US hospitals, not UK ones.

Vita Health Coach on the App Store

Questions

Do I need to be at the same GP surgery as my parent?

To link their profile in the NHS App, yes. You and your parent both need to be registered at the same surgery. Ask their surgery what they can offer if you are registered elsewhere.

Can I see my parent's test results?

If your parent agrees and the surgery gives you that level of access, you can see their test results and other health information. Your parent can also choose to share appointments and prescriptions without sharing their record.

Can the surgery say no?

Yes. A GP can refuse if they think access would not be right for your parent, if they are worried the information will not be kept safe, or if they think someone is being pressured. They should explain their reasons.

Does a lasting power of attorney give me access automatically?

No. A health and welfare attorney can ask the GP surgery for access, and the GP decides. The power can be used when your parent cannot make the decision themselves.

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Sources

General information, not medical advice. VitaMedas is not connected with any government health service. Vita Health Coach explains; it never diagnoses. In an emergency, call 999. Read the medical disclaimer.