How proxy access works

Proxy access was developed to allow someone other than the patient to access and manage parts of their GP online services account. The proxy is given their own online access account (rather than using the patient’s login details). It is often used by the parents or recognised carers of young children, and recognised carers of adults.

Access given to authorised care staff must be agreed between the:

  • resident/patient and or their representative
  • care home
  • patient’s GP practice.

Access is generally given from the date of admission to the care home but longer, retrospective, proxy access can be given if the GP agrees this would be of benefit to the resident.

GP practices can set up their clinical systems to allow access to various elements of the GP records. This is agreed locally, meaning that care home staff can’t see anything that the GP practice does not allow. If, however, a resident does not want care home staff to have proxy access to any part of their record, including ordering medication, the care home must respect the wishes of their resident and continue to work with paper, etc.

Levels of proxy access

As agreed locally, staff in the care home can be given proxy access by the GP practice to:

  • book and view appointments
  • order medication, including adding a note to the GP practice (e.g. when an item is marked as needing review)
  • summary care records (SCR) i.e. allergies and drug sensitivities, acute medication, repeat medication
  • detailed coded record (DCR) i.e. demographics, allergies/adverse reactions, drug sensitivities, acute and repeat medication, immunisations, test results, coded problems, diagnoses, procedures, coded referrals and letters received (excluding free text, letters and attachments, administrative items)
  • full record access i.e. DCR plus documents (like hospital discharge letters, referrals, etc) and free-text notes

When record access is enabled for a proxy user, this should start from the date access is given unless an earlier date has been agreed between patient, GP, and care home.

View the next sections in this guide: