Part of Guide for volunteers: Helping someone set up their NHS App
Explaining what the NHS account does
Explain that the NHS account is the online version of the NHS App, where they can access the same services that they could do within the App.
Help them to understand the benefits of having an NHS account:
As a volunteer you can help people to:
- order repeat prescriptions without contacting their GP practice
- view health records, test results, allergies and medications securely
- access care plans (if their GP practice supports this)
- send and receive messages from their GP practice
- use NHS 111 online services
Let those concerned with data protection know that once they’ve set up NHS login, their NHS App or NHS account securely connects to information from their GP practice.
Eligibility requirements
Confirm users are:
- 13 years or older
- registered with a GP practice in England or the Isle of Man
- have an email address and phone number
Explain the need to verify their identity
Those aged 13-15 will need to contact their GP surgery for access to GP online services before they can use the NHS App.
Those registered at a surgery provided by Defence Medical Services (DMS) cannot currently use the NHS App or NHS account.
if someone does not have an email address, or shares an email address, you can help them to set up a free account with an email provider.
Explain the need to verify their identity
For full access to the NHS App and all services listed above, explain they need to verify who they are using one of the methods below to connect their account to their GP practice. Without verification, they can only access some services such as NHS service finder and Health A to Z.
If someone has already set up an NHS login and verified their identity to access another NHS service, such as the Patient Access app, they can use the same email and phone number to access the NHS App. They they don’t need to set up a new NHS login account.
Last edited: 2 July 2025 4:27 pm