What is Proxy Access?
A GP surgery can give someone proxy access so they can help another person manage their GP health and care.
A proxy may be able to act for the person they support, by:
- ordering repeat prescriptions
- booking appointments
- contacting the surgery or speaking to surgery staff
- viewing test results or vaccinations
- accessing all or part of the GP health record, to help with health-related tasks and managing health issues
Reasons for Proxy Access:
Reasons for wanting or needing help could include:
- having a physical or mental health condition
- technical barriers, for example not having a computer or a smartphone
- language barriers, for example if it’s not easy to access services in English
- practical reasons, for example working shifts or unsocial hours
- age, for example a child may need a parent to manage their GP services
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.
If you help someone else with prescriptions, booking appointments or managing their health and care, getting proxy access could make it easier and more convenient.
Setting up Proxy Access:
In arrange proxy access, both the patient and representatives will have to complete the form found here. We require this form to be handed in in-person so that we may verify the identity of the representatives named. If you do not have access to a printer, a copy can be provided at the front desk.
We will ensure that the patient providing access understands and agrees. The practice will then decide what access, if any, is appropriate, and make the changes in their clinical systems to set it up.
Adults aged 16 and over are assumed to be able to understand and consent to their own treatment. This is called having capacity.
If the person you want to help cannot understand or agree to you acting for them, for example because of a condition such as dementia, this is called lacking capacity.
The GP surgery may still be able to give you access. They will make a decision based on what is in the best interests of the person who needs help.