Parent/Guardian Proxy Access – NHS app
If you care for a child aged under 16, and you have legal parental responsibility for them, you can request proxy access for medical records, test results, prescription ordering etc. on the NHS app.
Access will need to be granted by your GP surgery upon proof of parental responsibility (normally birth certificate). For children aged 11-16 a Proxy Access Consent form will need to be completed – copies available at our practice reception. This is line with RCGP (Royal College of General Practitioners) guidance. Please be advised NHS app Proxy access can only be granted to parents/guardians registered at the same practice as the child. You can have proxy access for more than 1 child, and a child can have more than 1 proxy acting on their behalf.
We ask that access requests be made in writing; please complete an ‘Admin Request’ on Patchs Once proxy access is set up, you can access the other person’s profile in your NHS account, using the NHS App or website.
Children’s rights, capacity and consent
Children have the same legal rights over their data as adults. The GP surgery must get the child’s consent before giving access to their online GP services, if the child is able to understand and make an informed decision. This is called having capacity. Children aged 11 or over are usually considered to have the capacity to consent, or refuse access, unless for example they have a medical condition or learning disability that affects their understanding.
If you think your child will not be able to understand what it means to give you access to their online GP services, you can tell your GP surgery. The GP surgery will give access based on the best interests of the child. This will usually mean having a parent or guardian acting on the child’s behalf.
When your online access will stop
Parent and guardian access usually ends when a child is 16. If your child wants or needs you to help manage their GP services when they are 16 or over, your GP surgery can set it up again. At Chorlton Family Practice we review and contact just before patients 11th and 16th birthdays. Online parent and guardian access is stopped to protect an older child’s confidentiality. If your access stops, you can ask your GP surgery to restore it.
When your online access ends, you will still be able to manage your child’s health and care at the GP surgery in the same way you do now.
The NHS website has information about using linked profiles to access services for someone else.
Dependants Proxy Access – NHS app
IMPORTANT: Both you and the person you’re applying about must be registered at the same GP surgery.
Dependants refers to anyone who’s medical care you are responsible for. This could include an elderly relative, friend or someone you care for. Unlike young children, explicit consent from the patient must be obtained.
In most cases you will need to contact the GP surgery of the person who wants help, to ask for proxy access. This will be a paper consent form which must include a wet signature and proof of identity upon completion. The GP surgery will make sure the person giving access understands and agrees to it, where needed.
In some instances it may be appropriate for a GP to decide where proxy access to medical information is appropriate. If this is the case, you will be informed.
Adults who cannot understand and agree to proxy access
Proxy access for another adult is usually given based on them requesting it themselves, or understanding and agreeing to it. Adults aged 16 and over are assumed to be able to understand and consent to their own treatment. This is called having capacity. If the person you want to help cannot understand or agree to you acting for them, for example because of a condition such as dementia, this is called lacking capacity.
In these instances, it will be decided by a senior GP at the practice where proxy access can be granted. They will make a decision based on what is in the best interests of the person who needs help.
Every GP surgery is responsible for protecting the medical information they hold about their patients, and protecting patients from any abuse, control or coercion. GP surgeries have the right to refuse proxy access for any reason, if they think it would not be in someone’s best interests, even if they have requested it themselves.
GP surgeries are responsible for deciding:
- who should have access to information in GP medical records
- what types of access are appropriate
- which online services are available to their patients