As a parent, family member or carer, you may be able to access services for someone else. We call this having proxy access. We can set this up for you if you are both registered with us.
To requests proxy access:
- collect a proxy access form from reception from 10am to 6pm
Linked profiles in your NHS account
Once proxy access is set up, you can access the other person’s profile in your NHS account, using the NHS App or website.
The NHS website has information about using linked profiles to access services for someone else.
About Proxy Access
Proxy access was developed to allow someone other than the patient to access and manage parts of their GP online services account, usually with the patient’s explicit consent. The proxy user is given their own online access account. The proxy user does not have to be a registered patient at the same practice but must be registered for online services on the GP system and always use their own login credentials.
Who can have access?
You can choose who you want to give access to. This can be your carer, partner, parent/guardian or another family member. You can also give access to more than one person. Giving access to another person is your choice.
Setting Up Proxy Access
Patients aged 16 or above are assumed to be competent to make an independent and informed decision about whether to ask for someone to have proxy access to their GP Online Services and record, unless there is an indication that they are not.
The patient who wishes to give access and the party who wishes to be granted access must attend the practice physically to complete the ‘Proxy Access’ consent form and must bring in photographic ID (i.e. passports) in order to adhere to information security guidelines.
‘Proxy Access’ consent forms must be completed physically at the practice with a staff member present to ensure no coercion or force.
For patients aged 11-16: The patient who wishes to give access and the party who wishes to be granted access must attend the practice physically to complete the ‘Proxy Access’ consent form. All parties must bring photo ID (i.e. passports) to adhere to information security guidelines. A telephone appointment will be arranged with the registered GP to speak to the patient.
It is important to note that the age at which a young person becomes competent to make autonomous decisions about their healthcare, including who should have access to their GP online services, will vary from person to person. Where a parent, guardian or carer has proxy access to the online services of a young person after their 11th birthday, the child’s competence to make an independent and informed decision about proxy access may change.
The competent young person may decide to:
- Stop their parents’ proxy access to their online services, where the parents still have access after the 11th birthday.
- Allow their parents to have access to their online services, or to allow limited proxy access to specific services, perhaps restricting proxy access to only book appointments or request repeat prescriptions.
- Request access to their online services where nobody currently has access.
- Switch off all online access, including parental proxy access, until such time as the young person chooses to request access.
- The access will automatically revoke on the child’s 16th birthday.
For patients aged under 11, the usual position would be for someone with parental responsibility for the child to control access to GP Online Services. If you are the patient’s parent or legal guardian, please speak with our reception team to request proxy access. It is essential that we establish that you have parental responsibility; you may be asked to present proof.
If access is granted, this will be available to you until they reach 11 years of age. Once they reach this age, if both parties wish for proxy access to be re-instated, the patient and the representative must attend the practice with photo ID to complete a consent form. This is a national standard imposed by NHS England to protect the confidentiality rights of young people.