The NHS App
The NHS App provides a simple and secure way for you to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
The NHS App this winter
Don't forget you can use your NHS app to order your prescriptions ahead of the festive season to make sure you have enough medication to see you through when GP practices are closed.
What is the NHS App?
The NHS App provides a simple and secure way for you to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. This is a national programme, and all GP surgeries in Somerset are connected. If you are registered with a GP in Somerset, you can start using it straight away. More than 50% of the population are already using the service.
Features
The NHS App enables people to:
- search trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments using the health A-Z on the NHS website
- find NHS services near them
Patients can register and prove who they are so they can:
- view / show NHS Covid Pass for travel
- order their repeat prescriptions and view, set or change their nominated pharmacy, where they want their prescriptions to be sent
- view their GP health record to see information like their allergies and medicines (if their GP has given them access to their detailed medical record, they can also see information such as test results, consultations and documents)
- book and manage coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations
- book and manage appointments
- manage their first hospital or clinic appointment with a specialist, when they are referred by their GP, through the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS)
- register as an organ donor
- choose whether the NHS uses their data for research and planning
- view their NHS number
- find out what to do when they need help urgently using NHS 111 online
In some GP practices, depending on which systems are in use, people can also:
- message their GP surgery or a health professional online
- contact their GP surgery using an online form and get a reply
- access health services on behalf of someone they care for
- view and manage their hospital and other healthcare appointments
- view useful links their doctor or health professional has shared with them
- view and manage care plans
All GP practices in England are connected to the NHS App. This means that anyone aged 13 and over and registered with a GP practice in England can use it.
How can I get it?
You can download it for free from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store. When you register in the app, there will be a series of checks to confirm your identity. You will not have to go into your surgery to register if you have a passport or photo card driving licence. If you have already registered for online services with your GP and proved your identity, your app may automatically connect with your GP Surgery.
The process to set up your NHS login is explained in this video NHS Login – Patient Journey or you can read more and access the NHS login help centre at NHS login – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
You can choose to log in using fingerprint recognition, facial recognition or username and password of your choice.
You can now also access NHS App services from the browser on your desktop or laptop computer.
Further Information
The app securely connects to information from your GP surgery. To keep your access secure, a security code will be sent to your phone each time you use the app. This feature can be disabled if you choose to.
Find out how to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status to show that you’ve had the full course of the COVID-19 vaccine, and access this status when travelling abroad: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad
Proxy Access/ Linked Profiles
You can request to act as a proxy for children, relatives and dependants that you care for if you are registered at the same GP practice. You are usually asked to complete a form which must be signed and returned to the GP practice. The form may be available on their practice website or you can ask your practice for a proxy form. Typically, when a child turns 16, the proxy access will be discontinued unless a new arrangement is made.
Proxy access enables a parent, family member or carer to act on behalf of the patient with their access tailored accordingly. The proxy feature includes appointment booking, repeat medication requests, text messaging and, where applicable, access to medical records, and can easily be accessed by the proxy once the patient has been linked.
Please note that it is not possible to access the NHS Covid Pass through proxy access or linked profiles.
Children under the age of 12 do not have a digital NHS Covid Pass for travel.
There are 2 ways you can get a digital NHS COVID Pass.
You can:
- download and use the NHS App to get your NHS COVID Pass if you’re aged 13 or over
- use the online NHS COVID Pass service if you’re aged 12 or over
Please feel free to contact our Digital Team at somicb.digitalteam@nhs.net if you have any further questions or use the button below to visit the NHS Website and read more.
