If you are managing the health of another, you can apply for proxy access. This provides access to the person’s online account for:
- book and view appointments
- order medication
- access to medical records
A person must be registered for online access at the practice where the patient they are acting for is registered. Proxy is the recommended alternative to sharing login details.
Proxy access on behalf of children
People with parental responsibility for children have rights to access their children’s records. This is in most cases. Not all parents have parental responsibility. Proxy access for parent and guardian to a child’s record is a practice-level decision.
Proxy access will automatically be taken off a child’s record when the child or young person turns 11, 16 and 18 years of age. If the child or young person would like the proxy access reinstated, a new request must be submitted.
We as a surgery recognise that children and young people may want to keep their medical information confidential and may not wish to share their information with a parent.
All proxy requests on behalf of children and young person will be considered on an individual basis. The child or young person will be asked to sign the proxy form at the surgery so we can make sure the child or young person understands what proxy access means.
Proxy Access For Lasting Power Of Attorney
When a person is unable to make decisions for themselves, another person, usually a partner or close family member can be given legal responsibility over decisions concerning their life by the courts. This is called Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney. A person with lasting power of attorney can ask the patient’s surgery for access to their online services. The GP will make a decision whether this should be allowed.
If you know that you would never want a particular person to have access to your online services if you become unable to make your own decisions, you should tell your GP and they will never share them with that person.
Third Party Consent
Patients over 16 years of age can allow a third party to have access to their medical records. This includes calling the surgery to make and appointment or access test results.
Please complete a third party consent form available from reception.
Please note that if a third party consent form is completed or proxy access is authorised it is the responsibility of the patient to inform the surgery if they no longer wish for the person to have access to the records.