The NHS App

What The NHS App does

Use the NHS App to:

• get advice about coronavirus – get information about coronavirus and find out what to do if you think you have it
• order repeat prescriptions - see your available medicines, request a new repeat prescription and choose a pharmacy for your prescriptions to be sent to
• book appointments - search for, book and cancel appointments at your GP surgery, and see details of your upcoming and past appointments
• check your symptoms - search trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments, and get instant advice or medical help near you
• view your medical record - securely access your GP medical record, to see information like your allergies and your current and past medicines
• register your organ donation decision - choose to donate some or all of your organs and check your registered decision
• find out how the NHS uses your data - choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning

Other services in the NHS App

If your GP surgery or hospital offers other services in the NHS App, you may be able to:

• access health services on behalf of someone you care for
• view your hospital and other healthcare appointments
• view useful links your doctor or health professional has shared with you

Keeping your data secure

After you download the app, you will need to set up an NHS login and prove who you are. The app then securely connects to information from your GP surgery.

If your device supports fingerprint detection or facial recognition, you can use it to log in to the NHS App each time, instead of using a password and security code.

Getting started with the NHS App

What to do if you do not have photo ID

Each GP surgery creates an online account for patients on their local computer system. You can use the following details from that account to prove who you are:

• the ODS code of your GP surgery
• the account ID
• a linkage key or a passphrase

Your GP surgery should give these details to you in a ‘PIN document’. The linkage key or passphrase will expire 2 weeks after it is printed. When you have the PIN document, follow these steps in the NHS App:

1. Select How to prove who you are without photo ID
2. Select Yes - I use online services
3. Select Yes - I have all 3 details
4. Enter your ODS code, account ID, and linkage key or passphrase
5. Enter your full name and date of birth

Logging in to the NHS App

1. Enter your email address and select Continue.
2. Enter the password you created when you registered on the app.

Proving who you are

You will need to prove who you are to access other services like seeing your GP health record and other personal information.

Use photo ID to prove who you are

You will need a form of photo ID such as a valid UK passport or UK driving licence.

You have two options.

Option 1 - Complete a face scan

The NHS App will guide you on how to:
1. Take a photo of your ID with your mobile phone.
2. Complete an automated scan of your face using your mobile phone. This will be used to match your face with the photo ID.
3. Enter your date of birth.
4. Enter your NHS number or your name and postcode. When you have completed these steps, your identity should be confirmed within a few hours.

Option 2 – Take a video

The NHS App will guide you on how to:

1. Take a photo of your ID with your mobile phone.
2. Record a short video of your face and say 4 randomly generated numbers (you can also use British Sign Language or write the numbers down and show them in the video).
3. Enter your date of birth.
4. Enter your NHS number or your name and postcode.

When you have completed these steps, your identity should be confirmed within a few hours.