How to see your GP record in the NHS App

You have a legal right to see the information your GP holds about you. The easiest way is on your phone, using the free NHS App in England or the NHS Wales App in Wales.

Seeing your record can help you understand your health, check that information about you is correct, and gather evidence for benefits such as PIP.

What you can see in your GP record

You need to be registered with a GP and usually aged 16 or over to see your record.

In England, GP practices must give you online access to new information added to your record. This usually means entries from late 2023 onwards, when practices switched this on. You may be able to see:

• your medicines, past and present
• allergies and bad reactions to medicines
• test results, such as blood tests
• your health conditions (sometimes called problems or diagnoses)
• vaccinations
• consultation notes written by your GP, nurse or other clinicians
• letters and documents sent to your practice, such as hospital clinic letters and discharge summaries

In Wales, everyone can see a summary, which shows allergies and medicines. Many practices also share more, such as test results, conditions, vaccinations and appointments.

What you might not see

• Older records. Information from before your practice turned on full access may not show. Ask your practice if you want it.
• Some test results, until a clinician has checked them. This gives your GP the chance to talk to you first if a result is worrying.
• Information about other people, or information that could cause serious harm. Your GP can hide (redact) this. It stays in your record but is not shown in the app.

If you want your full record

If the app does not show what you need, you can:

1. Ask your GP practice to give you more online access.
2. Make a subject access request. This is a written request (an email or letter is fine) for a copy of your records. It is usually free, and your practice must normally reply within 1 month.

If something is wrong

If you think something in your record is wrong, contact your GP practice. You can ask them to correct factual mistakes. If they disagree, you can ask them to add a note showing your view.

How to set up the app

Step 1: download the app

Search for NHS App (England) or NHS Wales App (Wales) in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Check the publisher is the NHS before you download it.

Step 2: create an NHS login

Enter your email address, make a password and add your mobile number. You will get security codes to confirm these.

Step 3: prove who you are

To see your GP record, you need to prove your identity. There are 2 ways.

With photo ID:

• take a photo of your passport, UK driving licence (full or provisional) or another accepted ID
• record a short video of yourself saying 4 numbers shown on the screen. You can sign them in British Sign Language or write them down and show them instead
• you will usually get an email within a day or so when it is done

Without photo ID:

• ask your GP practice for your online services details, sometimes called a registration letter or PIN document
• it has 3 details: a linkage key, an ODS code and an account ID
• in the app, choose that you do not have photo ID, then enter these 3 details
• the linkage key usually expires after 2 weeks, so use it soon

Other useful features

The NHS App is much more than your record. Depending on your GP practice and local hospital, you can:

• order repeat prescriptions and choose a nominated pharmacy
• book, check and cancel GP appointments
• message your GP practice, or get messages from them
• see your hospital referrals and appointments, and an estimated waiting time for treatment
• get reminders about hospital appointments
• see your NHS number
• check your vaccination record
• record or change your organ donation decision
• use NHS 111 online to get help for a symptom
• manage care for someone else, such as a child or a person you care for, if your GP practice sets up proxy access

The NHS Wales App also lets you book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and keep a health journal, and people in Wales can track their place on a hospital waiting list.

Not every practice offers every feature. If something is missing, ask your practice.

Using your GP record for benefits

Your GP record can be useful evidence when you claim a benefit or ask for a decision to be looked at again. Useful things to look for include:

• letters from specialists about your diagnosis and treatment
• notes describing how your condition affects you day to day
• your medicines list, including side effects
• test and scan results
• referrals, for example to physiotherapy or mental health services

Pick the pages that best show how your condition affects you, rather than sending your whole record. You can usually save or screenshot pages from the app, or ask your practice for printed copies.

Read our guide to PIP and our free PIP form guide for tips on choosing evidence.

Keeping your record private

• Never share your password or security codes, even with someone helping you.
• Set a PIN, fingerprint or face ID on the app, and lock your phone.
• If someone else needs to help you regularly, ask your GP practice about proxy access instead of sharing your login.
• If you feel at risk from someone who could see your phone, talk to your GP practice. They can help keep sensitive information safe.