Patient Record

The NHS wants to give people better ways to see their personal health information online. We know that people want to be able to access their health records. It can help you see test results faster. It also lets you read and review notes from your appointments in your own time.

We’re now letting you see all the information within your health record automatically. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS App, NHS website, or another online primary care service, you will now be able to see all future notes and health records from your GP Surgery. Some people can already access this feature, this won’t change for you.

This means that you will be able to see notes from your appointments, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records. This only applies to records from your GP Surgery, not from hospitals or other specialists. You will only be able to see information from 1^st November 2022. For most people, access will be automatic, and you won’t need to do anything.

Your GP may talk to you to discuss test results before you are able to see some of your information on the app.  In some instances, having access to the notes may not be in your best interest. If you think that you should have full access but are unable to view your record, can you please discuss this with your GP.

These changes only apply to people with online accounts. If you do not want an online account, you can still access your health records by requesting this information through reception. The changes also only apply to personal information about you. If you are a carer and would like to see information about someone you care for, speak to reception staff.

The NHS App, website and other online services are all very secure, so no one is able to access your information except you. You’ll need to make sure you protect your login details. Don’t share your password with anyone as they will then have access to your personal information.

If you do not want to see your health record, or if you would like more information about these changes, please speak to your GP or reception staff.

Your Summary Care Record contains important information about any medicines you are taking, any allergies and any adverse reactions to medicines that you have previously experienced.

 Allowing authorised healthcare staff to have access to this information will improve decision making by doctors and other healthcare professionals and has prevented mistakes being made when patients are being cared for in an emergency or when their GP practice is closed.

 Healthcare staff will have access to this information, so that they can provide safer care, whenever or wherever you need it, anywhere in England.

 Your Summary Care Record also includes your name, address, date of birth and your unique NHS Number to help identify you correctly. Therefore it is very important to ensure we have the most recent and correct information including your mobile phone number.

 NHS England require practices to enable successful automated uploads of any changes to patient’s summary information, at least on a daily basis, to the summary care record (SCR).

 If you do not wish your medical records to be accessible in this way then you need to let us know so we can update your record. You can do this via the opt out form here. Please do consider this carefully though and read the attached form as it may have serious implications for your medical care in an emergency situation. This form should be sent back to us in the post or to bnssg.tyntesfieldmedicalgroup@nhs.net.

To provide the best possible care, health and social care professionals need the most up to date information about you. 

Your health and social care records are now shared with the professionals involved in your care. Together, Connecting Care care for nearly one million people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.  Sharing your digital records with the people who look after you gives them the most up-to-date information about you and makes your care safer and more efficient. Please click here for more information.

If you are happy for your information to be shared locally in this way, you do not need to do anything further.

If you do wish to opt out (not recommended) information on how to do this can be found here.

In addition to the above, there is a local record sharing system which allows professionals involved in your care to access your GP medical record. This makes it much easier for professionals to treat you, since they have access to what has happened in the past, and improves the quality of care you get. For example, if you see your GP on Friday with a problem, the out of hours GP will be able to see the consultation which helps both them and you get a better outcome.  Sharing agreements include the local hospitals, out of hours doctors and district nursing teams. 

If you wish to opt out (not recommended) - please send an email to bnssg.tyntesfieldmedicalgroup@nhs.net.

Your health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This data can be used to help with research and planning. Please see here for more information, including how to opt out.

You can choose to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning. You can also make a choice for someone else like your children under the age of 13.

Your choice will only apply to the health and care system in England. This does not apply to health or care services accessed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

A parent or guardian can request to opt out children under 16 but ultimately it is the GP's decision whether to create the records or not because of their duty of care to the child.

If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 16 and feel they are able to understand, then you should make this information available to them.