Online access to GP health records

Enabling patients to view new health information in their GP health record through the NHS App and other online services.

All GP surgeries are required to give all patients in England online access to new information as it is added to their GP health record.

Patients with online accounts, such as through the NHS App, should be able to read new entries, including free text, in their health record. This applies to future (prospective) record entries and not historic data.

These pages provide support and guidance for primary care teams, staff working in other health and care services, commissioners and voluntary organisations.

Patients wanting to find out about accessing their GP health records can also visit How to get your medical records.

Find out more about these changes and why they are being made.

Latest updates

ICO response to Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) submissions

The ICO published a response on 17 January 2024 to GP practices that submitted Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) in respect of enabling online prospective record access for all patients (unless exceptions apply).

Updated GP contract requirements

Following changes to the 2023/2024 GP contract, new health information should now be available to all patients unless it would not be provided under GDPR or the patient has informed the practice that they do not, or no longer, wish to have access.

Practices that are not yet offering all patients access to their prospective records are encouraged to engage with their commissioners who will continue to support them to meet their contractual requirements as soon as possible.

Find out how to switch on access at your practice.

Guidance and support

Resources for primary care colleagues

Resources to support general practice staff in preparing for change, including safeguarding guidance, learning from early adopter sites and a GP readiness checklist.

Primary care resources

Guidance for health and care staff

Information for secondary, community and mental health services who send correspondence to general practice, about giving patients online access to their GP health record information

Health and care resources

Resources for charities and patient groups

Information for charities, patient groups and voluntary sector organisations about offering patients online access to their future health records.

More about these resources

Resources for local commissioners

Information to help ICBs deal with feedback and concerns about giving patients access to their new health record information.

Local commissioner resources

Case studies and blogs

Meet some of the patients who access their GP health record through the NHS App and learn more about their stories and read about how people across the NHS are implementing, using and benefiting from providing access to patient records.

Patient case studies

Meet some of the patients who access their GP health record through the NHS App and learn more about their stories and why they recommend you use the app yourself.

Read our patient stories

Benefits, case studies and webinars from health care professionals

Read about how people across the NHS are implementing, using and benefiting from providing access to patient records.

Health care case studies

Last edited: 19 March 2024 11:22 am