May 29, 2019 11.28 am This story is over 58 months old

All Lincolnshire GP practices now linked up to NHS app

Book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and more
| Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

All GP practices in Lincolnshire are now fully linked up with the NHS app, so you can book and manage appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and view your medical records.

Linking up GP practices to the app is being carried out across England gradually. It is expected to be completed nationally by the Summer 2019.

Patients can download the app from the Apple or Android app stores. There are on-screen instructions to help patients get set up and link to their GP practice.

Although the app initially seems simple to use, it is important to have certain details to hand or the registration process could be longer and frustrating.

After setting up an NHS log-in, if you don’t already have one, the app will try to connect it to your GP surgery.

In order to do this three things are required – Linkage Key (could be called a Passphrase), O.D.S Code (could be called an Organisation Code or Practice ID) and the Account ID.

It is possible to connect an alternative way without these three things, but again it requires more detail. Along with your NHS number, a photo of valid ID and a short video for face verification purposes will be needed.

Most patients will not need to visit their GP practice to set up a log-in and can provide their identity in the app.

So what does the app do?

  • It enables patients to check their symptoms and find out what to do whey they need help urgently
  • Book and manage appointments at their GP practice
  • Order repeat prescriptions
  • Securely view their GP medical record
  • Register to be an organ donor
  • Choose how the NHS uses their data

Accountable Officer at Lincolnshire Sustainability Transformation Partnership, John Turner, said: “I’m delighted that patients across Lincolnshire can now enjoy the full range of services that the NHS App has to offer.

“This is a significant step in modernising NHS services, and should make life easier for patients and for practices, with the ability to book and manage appointments online, order repeat prescriptions, view your medical history and access NHS 111Online, among other services.

“This should help ease some of the pressures on practice reception desks and phone lines, giving people who use the app an alternative they can use from their sofa, and freeing up more time for those patients who wish to continue to use more traditional methods to interact with their practice.”