Question 1

What is the Book GP Appointment Service and can I use it if I have created an account with NowPatient using my NHS Login credentials?

Accepted Answer

The Book GP Appointment Service allows you to book appointments with your GP. You can book up to 16 weeks in advance and cancel at any time.

Yes. If you are accessing your NowPatient account using your NHS login credentials, then this feature will be activated immediately, without you having to take any action.

Question 2

Can I use the Book GP Appointment Service if I have created an account with NowPatient without using NHS Login?

Accepted Answer

Not everybody has NHS Login credentials – do not worry – you can still access the Book GP Appointment Service if you have created a NowPatient account using your email address.

If you have used your email address to create an account with NowPatient then you will be required to link your NowPatient account with your NHS account using something called NHS linkage Codes.

Linkage codes (also known as linkage keys) are 3 codes that the NHS uses to protect your GP medical record and keep it secure for you.

When you have obtained the keys, you should navigate to the account homepage and locate the Book GP Appointment Service Card. The Service Card is locked by default. Select the ‘Connect’ button and this will present you with a screen where you can enter the 3 codes which will then unlock the service.

Question 3

How do I obtain my linkage keys?

Accepted Answer

To get your linkage keys follow the three simple steps:

Contact your GP practice and ask for access to “online services”
You will also need to state that you would like them to send you your “3 linkage keys”
Each GP practice manages these requests a little differently. Some prefer you to complete a request form online, via their website. Others prefer you to email or to phone

The simplest way to get these codes is by email. Below, we’ve included a template email you can use to request yours.

download template here

Once you have requested your linkage keys, your GP surgery will send you a letter or an email, with your codes. You should now have the following 3 codes:

Linkage key or passphrase
ODS code or practice ID
Account ID

Question 4

Are there any limits on using the Book GP Appointment Service?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  We operate a ‘Fair Usage Policy’ on all NHS integrated services. This helps prevent abuse of NHS resources. Under the terms of this policy, you will be limited to searching one booking slot per day.

Question 5

How can I view my Upcoming and Past GP Appointments?

Accepted Answer

You can view upcoming and past GP appointments by navigating to the NHS Hub Section of the account homepage and then finding the Book GP Appointment Service Card. From the ‘Options’ on the Service Card, select either ‘Upcoming Appointments’ or ‘Past Appointments’. This will take you to a page that will list your ‘Upcoming’ or ‘Past Appointments’.

Question 6

How can I Book a GP Appointment using NowPatient?

Accepted Answer

You can book a GP appointment by navigating to the NHS Hub Section of the account homepage and then finding the Book GP Appointment Service Card. From the ‘Options’ on the Service Card, select ‘Book Appointment’. This will take you to a page where you can choose the date, time and GP preference.  From the options, you can choose the appointment slot.

Question 7

I cannot see any Upcoming Appointment slots for my GP surgery?

Accepted Answer

There could be a number of reasons for this, such as: your GP surgery does not currently allow online appointment booking your GP surgery stopped using online appointment booking after you booked the appointment you cancelled the appointment

Question 8

How can I cancel a booking I have already made?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel a booked GP appointment by navigating to the NHS Hub Section of the account homepage and then finding the Book GP Appointment Service Card. From the ‘Options’ on the Service Card, select ‘Upcoming Appointments’. This will take you to a page where you can view your upcoming GP appointments. To cancel an appointment, you can find the appointment you have booked and select the ‘Cancel Appointment’ button.

Your GP surgery may stop accepting online cancellations if it’s too close to the appointment time. If you cannot cancel your appointment online, contact your surgery.

Question 9

What should I do if I need an urgent GP appointment?

Accepted Answer

You should not book GP appointments using the NowPatient App if your requirements are for an urgent same-day GP appointment booking.

If you require a same-day or urgent booking, please contact your surgery. You can also use 111.nhs.uk if you think you need medical help right now. Alternatively, if it is life-threatening medical emergency, please call 999.

Question 10

Why has my selected appointment slot has become unavailable while booking?

Accepted Answer

If the appointment time you selected is now showing as unavailable, someone else may have booked your preferred appointment slot before you finished your booking. If this happens, you can try searching again.

There may still be a slot available at the same time, but with a different surgery member.

Question 11

How long in advance can I book appointments?

Accepted Answer

NowPatient shows appointment slots at your GP surgery, 16 weeks in advance. However, Your GP surgery decides how far in advance appointments are available to book.

Question 12

What happens after I book my appointment?

Accepted Answer

You will receive a notification confirming the appointment in your ‘Notifications’, which can be viewed from your account dashboard. You can also check any upcoming appointments by navigating to the NHS Hub Section of the account homepage and then finding the Book GP Appointment Service Card. From the ‘Options’ on the Service Card, select either ‘Upcoming Appointments’. This will take you to a page which will list your ‘Upcoming Appointments’.

Always remember, when your booking has been confirmed, you will be expected to visit your NHS doctor surgery at the time and date agreed.

Question 13

Can I use NowPatient’s Book GP Appointment feature if I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

This service is commissioned by NHS England and is only available to patients in England. You will not be able to use the feature if you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.