Proxy Access Policy

You may find it helpful for someone else to have access to your GP online account so they can:

• book appointments
• order repeat prescriptions
• view your GP record on your behalf

This is called proxy access. In some circumstances, especially if you have an illness that may affect your capacity or you have complex health needs, proxy access can help someone support you and stay up to date with your care.

How proxy access works

The proxy must use their own online account and login details.

This means we can give the proxy the right level of access for your needs. It also means access can be changed or removed at your request, or if the practice decides this is in your best interests.

You will need to complete a consent form before proxy access can be considered.

Children under 11

Until a child's 11th birthday, a parent or guardian will usually control access to the child's GP online services and record.

A parent or guardian may still be allowed proxy access after the child turns 11, but only after careful discussion with a GP or another registered healthcare professional, and only if this is considered to be in the child's best interests.

Children and young people aged 11 to 15

The practice does not routinely grant proxy access for patients in this age group.

We may consider requests on an individual basis where:

• the patient has already had a capacity assessment completed by a GP
• the patient has a severe learning disability
• there is another compelling reason to consider the request

It is the GP's decision whether to invite the patient for a capacity assessment.

For patients aged 11 to 15, any decision made when the patient turned 11 can be reviewed at any time. The child's best interests will always be the focus of that review.

If a child is considered to have capacity and be competent, they may make their own decisions about online access.

Decisions about capacity in young people can be complex. For example, it may be difficult to assess the impact of a learning disability or to identify whether the young person is being pressured by someone else.

Capacity can only be reviewed by a GP or another registered healthcare professional.

Young people aged 16 and over

Once a young person turns 16, if they have an account, or they set up an account for GP online services, they will usually have prospective access to their own record.

When proxy access may be refused or withdrawn

Proxy access may not be granted, or it may be withdrawn, if:

• practice staff have good reason to believe the patient has not given consent freely
• a patient who is considered competent to decide about access has not agreed to the proxy having access
• there is believed to be a risk to the security of the online account
• the patient has previously said they do not want a particular person to have proxy access if they lose capacity, either permanently or temporarily, and this has been recorded in the notes
• the patient's GP decides that proxy access is not in the patient's best interests
• the patient asks for the access to be removed
• it is required by, or forms part of, a legal process

Need help?

If you would like to request proxy access, or if you are not sure whether proxy access is appropriate, please contact the practice.