Proxy Access

The process for requesting proxy access is outlined on: Set up proxy access with our service - NHS England Digital, and involves:

1. Verifying the identity of both the applicant and the patient
2. Ensuring an appropriate relationship (e.g., parental responsibility for a child)
3. Checking for safeguarding concerns
4. Assessing capacity 
5. Obtaining consent
6. Checking if any information is required to be redacted

Assessing appropriate level of records access required to fulfil care support needs whilst not putting the patient at undue risk, hence, freetext of consultations are not usually offered.

This assessment process usually takes less than a month to conclude if we have all the necessary information to hand.

Proxy access can be granted by a GP and requested via the NHS App, provided the application is verified by NHS systems. If this system does not pass, the application will need to be done in person with the patient (if above the age of 11).

• Both the patient and proxy may need to fill out a form and provide photo ID for identity verification. Form available from our reception.
• The GP surgery will assess the request, ensure the person granting access understands the process, and decide the appropriate level of access.

Considerations for Granting Proxy Access

GPs must consider various privacy and safeguarding factors before granting proxy access (Safeguarding your patients - NHS England Digital), including:

• Ensuring the patient willingly consents to the access
• Ensuring minors aged 15 or under are not forced into consenting
• Assessing any security or privacy risks to the patient
• Determining if the access is in the patient’s best interests
• Suspecting abuse or coercion, which could make record access risky

• Parental access to a child’s records is assumed until age 11.
•  After age 11, proxy access requires careful consideration, with consent from the child and safeguarding checks.
• At the age of 13 a patient can obtain their own NHS app login.
• At the age of 13 and 16 proxy access ends and will need to be reconsidered and reapplied and reactivated if appropriate. These guidelines are outlined on Information for under-16s on parents and guardians accessing your doctor's services - NHS.

Which Parent(s) have Parental responsibility?

A mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from birth.

Unless they did not give birth to the child, then they must apply for a parental order or adoption if you want to become the legal parent of the child.

A father usually has parental responsibility if he’s either:

• married to the child’s mother
• listed on the birth certificate (after a certain date, depending on which part of the UK the child was born in)

You can apply for parental responsibility if you do not automatically have it. For more information about parental responsibility and consent please click here.