What Proxy Access is:
Obtaining proxy access allows you to help someone else manage their online services. ‘Online services’ can be used for tasks such as booking appointments, requesting repeat prescriptions, seeing GP test results (e.g. blood tests, urine tests), immunisation records and identified health problems.
If you’re aged 16 or over, you can ask for someone to be your proxy for any reason. It does not stop you having access to your GP services yourself. Young adults can now access their own online services on the NHS App, and will be required to do so unless they lack capacity or specifically request proxy access to be granted to a third party.
Proxy access can be applicable for a variety of circumstances, including, but not limited to:
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- An adult on behalf of a child
- An adult on behalf of another adult
- A spouse on behalf of their partner
- An adult on behalf of someone who lacks capacity
Gaining Proxy Access:
The process to gain proxy access is broken down into two stages:
- The attached form needs to be filled in and returned alongside verification of appropriate identification.
- The GP will need to review medical records and a decision on access will be made accordingly.
Filling in the form:
If you want to set up proxy access to help someone else, you will need to fill in a proxy form. A proxy form can be picked up from the reception desk at any of our surgeries or downloaded here.
The form will need to be signed by the patient whose records are being accessed if they are aged 13 or over. All of the proxy representative’s details will need to be added, with a signature sought to evidence that you understand the responsibility of being able to see the sensitive medical information belonging to someone else.
The form does not need to be signed by the patient if they are aged under 13 or if they lack the capacity to give permission.
If you want to return the form and provide identification via email, please send the completed form to cmicb-cheshire.middlewood.patientaccess@nhs.net. Alternatively, you can return the form to our reception team at any of our surgeries, but please be aware you will need to show the relevant ID for all parties included on the form.
Identification:
The required identification for all children under 16 years old is a full birth certificate. For all adult patients and proxy representatives we require photographic identification and address verification.
If you experience any issues surrounding providing the correct identification, please contact cmicb-cheshire.middlewood.patientaccess@nhs.net for assistance.
GP review:
After we receive the completed form and have verified the identification, the GP will then review the medical records to make a decision on if granting proxy access is appropriate. Please allow up to 6-weeks for this review to be completed.
Existing Proxy Access for Children:
At the age of 11, if proxy access is already in place for a parent/guardian to access their child’s online services, the clinical system will automatically revoke any access in line with national guidance. Before this happens, an email will be sent to the registered carer, a month in advance, by our clinical system notifying them that this access will be lost. If you receive a message like this from our clinical system supplier, please contact us at cmicb-cheshire.middlewood.patientaccess@nhs.net to avoid losing access.
At Middlewood, we have determined that age 11 is too young for parents/guardians to lose access and it is possible to have this reinstated and prolonged to age 13 upon request by emailing cmicb-cheshire.middlewood.patientaccess@nhs.net.
The practice will require the child’s consent for access to remain over the age of 13, and we will contact a parent/guardian and the child to gain consent from both parties for the access to remain from ages 13 to 16.