Millions of patients given access to GP records under new rules

Millions of patients will be handed the power to view their own medical records and test results online after the NHS overruled opposition from the doctors’ union.

From 1 November every GP surgery in England will be contractually obliged to give all patients over the age of 16 access to their health information on their phones.

It means patients will no longer have to ring up their surgery or book a GP appointment to get details of blood test results, medications and repeat prescriptions, but instead they can access them by logging in to the NHS app.

The British Medical Association (BMA) had threatened to go to court over the plans, arguing that granting people access to their records would add to GP workloads and could put patients at risk.

However, Jacob Lant, the chief executive of the charity umbrella group National Voices, said: “Ensuring everyone has access to their own medical records through the NHS app is an important step in building a more equal partnership between patients and clinicians.

“It gives people much easier access to the information they need to prepare for appointments, and having quick access to test results can help patients manage their conditions better. Using technology in this way has the potential to help millions, and free up capacity of staff to help those who are less able to make use of digital services.”

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Source: The Times, 31 October 2023