View Your GP Records Online With NowPatient
NowPatient’s GP Records Folder gives you free, secure, read-only access to the health records held by your GP, all from your NowPatient account. View your allergies, vaccinations, diagnoses, test results, appointment notes, and prescribed medicines in one place, on any device.
The service is available to NHS patients registered with a GP in England, at no cost.
Smooth, simple, seamless
Your Guide to Using the GP Records Folder App Feature
- Step 1.
Open GP Records Folder Service Card, tap ‘Options’
1 - Step 2.
If needed, enter Linkage Codes to unlock Service Card
2 - Step 3.
Select the record type you wish to view
3 - Step 4.
View your records on the viewer page
4 - Step 5.
Apply filters to find specific records easily
5 - Step 6.
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6
SERVICE GUIDE
How GP Records Folder Works
What Can You See in Your GP Records?
The GP Records Folder gives you access to six categories of information from your NHS GP record:
- Allergies you have
- Vaccinations you’ve had
- Conditions you’ve been diagnosed with
- Notes from appointments at your GP surgery
- Results of tests arranged by your GP surgery
- Medicines your GP has prescribed
Navigating Your Records
The GP Records Service Card is located in the NHS Hub section of the account homepage. Viewing the Options menu on the Service card will allow you to select any one of the following record types: Allergies, Immunisations, Test Results, Problems, or Medications.
After selecting one, you will see all related records displayed as individual cards with detailed information. The viewer shows the total number of records and lets you apply filters to find specific entries.
What Is Not Included?
Records held by other service providers such as hospitals, dentists, and opticians are not available through the GP Records Folder unless they have been shared with your GP. To access those records, you will need to contact the relevant provider directly.
Hospital test results that have been sent to and reviewed by your GP will appear in your records. In some areas of England, you can already access hospital records directly, but NHS England does not yet have a timetable for when this will be available everywhere.
Who Can Use This Service?
The GP Records Folder is available to NHS patients registered with a GP in England. It is not available in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
The service is completely free for all registered NowPatient users.
How to Access Your GP Records
How you access the GP Records Folder depends on how you created your NowPatient account.
If You Signed Up with NHS Login
Your GP Records Folder Service Card will be fully active from the start. Navigate to the ‘NHS Hub’ section of your account homepage to find it.
If You Signed Up with Your Email Address, Google or Apple
You will need to link your NowPatient account to your NHS account using three linkage codes (also known as linkage keys). These codes protect your GP medical record and keep it secure.
How to get your linkage keys:
- Contact your GP practice and ask for access to ‘online services’. Tell them you would like your three linkage keys.
- Wait for your codes. Your GP surgery will send you a letter or email with three codes: a linkage key (or passphrase), an ODS code (or practice ID), and an account ID. Each practice handles these requests differently with some asking you to complete an online form, while others prefer email or phone
- Enter your codes in NowPatient. Go to your account homepage and find the GP Records Folder Service Card (it will be locked by default). Select the ‘Connect’ button which will then activate a modal, in which you can enter all three codes to unlock the service.
Tip: The simplest way to request your linkage keys is by email. A downloadable template email is available here to help you make the request.
Accessing Records on Different Devices
You can access the GP Records Folder from any device including smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer, using your NHS login or NowPatient login credentials.
Privacy and Security
Your records are only viewable by you. NowPatient cannot see your GP records and will not share them without your consent.
Records are stored securely in line with the NHS privacy notice. Your account is also protected by two-factor authentication (2FA), so only you can access your data.
What to Do If There Are Issues with Your Records
If you notice a problem with your GP records, contact your GP surgery by email, phone, or in person. You should get in touch if:
- You are unable to see your record
- Information is missing or has disappeared
- You can only see very recent information and need to see older records
- There is incorrect information in your record
- You can see information that does not belong to you
- You no longer want to see your record
- Someone is pressuring you for information in your record
Can I Correct Errors in My Records?
You cannot correct information directly. Speak to your GP about any errors as they can add the correct information to your record, but the original entry will remain because medical records are legal documents and information cannot always be removed. If there is a disagreement, your GP may note your point of view on the record alongside the original notes.
Why Are My Records Not Showing?
If you can access the GP Records Folder but no records appear, your GP practice may not have switched on full access to your records yet. All practices in England should have enabled access to future medical records as of 31 October 2023. If your records are still not showing, contact your GP practice.
Can My GP Hide Information from My Records?
In very rare cases, some information may not be visible. This would only happen for specific reasons, for example, if the record contains confidential information about another person, or if access could cause serious harm to you or someone else. You can also ask your GP to hide specific information from appearing in your online records.
What If My GP Has Switched Off Access to My Records?
A GP should only prevent access if there is a good reason, usually a concern that access could cause harm, or because you asked not to see your records. You have a right to see your medical records. If you disagree with the decision, speak to the practice manager or your GP. If you remain unsatisfied, you can complain through the practice’s complaints procedure.
How Do I See Older Historical Records?
Your online records may only show information added recently. If you need access to older records, ask your GP surgery to make the historical information visible. You can also request a paper copy of your full medical records through a subject access request.