Microtest and NHS login

If your practice uses the Microtest clinical system, your patients need to prove who they are using photo ID. After this, if they are not already set up to use online services with your practice, they will have to request access from you to get access to the NHS App using NHS login.

NHS App is currently the only app or website that connects with Microtest practices using NHS login. Your patients will be able to use apps and websites where they see the NHS login button, as long as they don't require a connection to the GP record.

Patients can create an NHS login from any health and care website or app where they see the NHS login button.

A patient only needs to prove who they are once to access multiple services through NHS login.

When they click the button, the patient will be asked to:

• give their email address
• choose a password
• accept the NHS login terms and conditions

They will then receive an email containing a link. They must click this link to confirm their email address. They will then see a page telling them they now have an NHS login.

The patient will need to return to the website or app they want to access and enter their NHS login email address and password. They will now be asked to give their mobile phone number. A six-digit security code will be sent by text message to their mobile phone. They will be prompted to enter this code and to press continue.

Next, the patient needs to confirm their identity so they can securely access their health information. They will need to use their photo ID and either a face scan or a video to register.

The patient will be asked to:

• enter their NHS number or their name,
• enter their date of birth
• enter their postcode as registered with their GP practice,
• send a photo of their ID
• record their face

If the patient chooses to record a short video, they will be shown 4 randomly generated numbers. They will be asked to tell us what the 4 numbers are.

To do this the patient can:

• say the numbers
• sign the numbers using British Sign Language
• write the numbers down and show them

Accepted types of photo ID

The accepted types of photo ID are:

• passport
• UK driving licence, either full or provisional
• a full European driving licence
• European national identity card

• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), UK Residence Card, or EEA Biometric Residence Card (BRC)

They are given instructions and a chance to check their information, before they submit it.

Following submission, the patient’s identity will be carefully checked and should be verified within two hours. If they submit between 9 pm and 9 am it may take longer. The patient will be emailed to let them know if the ID check has been successful.

Once they have completed these steps, the patient will be able to use their NHS login to access their chosen websites and apps, wherever they see the NHS login button. However, they are not currently able to fully access websites and apps that require a connection to the GP record.

The patient can continue using their email address, password and the security code sent to their mobile phone for authentication. They can also choose to be 'remembered' on their device, the first time they log into a website or app after setting up their NHS login. This means they can log in using their username and password, without the need to enter a security code. NHS App users may also have the option to authenticate with biometric data, using fingerprint or facial recognition.

For the NHS App, in order to connect to their GP medical record, there is one final step for patients at practices using Microtest.

In the NHS App, once a patient has successfully proved who they are, they will be prompted to ask you to enable online services for their account, using Microtest at your practice. Use your normal processes to switch it on. They will then be able to use the NHS App to book appointments, order prescriptions and see their GP medical record.