WHAT IS PROXY ACCESS? 

Allows parents, family members, carers, care home staff and/or power of attorney to manage online services on behalf of another patient.

Proxy users can - (This is dependent on the level of access you have);

  • Book appointments
  • Order repeat medication
  • View medical records (where applicable) 

Being a proxy user means that you do not need to be registered (as a patient) at the same practice as the patient. A proxy user can be linked to a patient of any age.

WHEN IS PROXY ACCESS NEEDED? 

Proxy access is needed under certain circumstances when a patient may lack capacity or have complex multimorbidity.  Proxy access is helpful to keep the patients medical records up to date and to collaborate within the patients healthcare. 

REFUSING PROXY ACCESS - Can my GP refuse Proxy Access? 

Your GP can refuse proxy access if they believe; 

  1. Suspicion that the patient consenting to proxy access is not doing so willingly 
  2. Believe a competent patient under 16 is able to make a decision on access and does not give consent for proxy access by the person who is seeking it
  3. Suspicion that proxy access will create a risk to the security and privacy of the patient 
  4. A person requests proxy access for a patient who has previously expressed not to grant proxy access to specific individuals loses capacity, either permanently or temporarily
  5. GP assesses that the proxy access being requested is not in the best interests of the patient

 

PROXY ACCESS FOR CHILDREN 

Under 11 - Proxy Access is given once authorised 

Age 11-15 - Proxy Access may be restricted 

Once the patient turns 11 the proxy user will be notified  3 months prior to the patient's birthday via email. This is so a clinician can assess the competency.

Age 16 - Proxy access will be revoked.

Once the patient turns 16 the proxy user will again be notified 3 months prior to the patients 16th Birthday advising that the Proxy access will be revoked. This is unless the clinician has it deemed nessessary. If not a new Gilick Competence will be needed. 

WHAT IS GILLICK COMPETENCE? 

SIGNING UP A PROXY USER

before your GP can authorise a proxy user and provide them with login credentials they must;

  1. Verify the identity - of the patient who is giving consent to proxy access and the third-party who is seeking proxy access 
  2. Confirm that the patient has given informed consent - or if the patient is not able to consent that there is another legal justification for providing proxy access
  3. Establish the level of access that the patient would like the proxy to have
  4. Seek assurance that the patient is not being coerced to agree to proxy access unwillingly (Proxy access will be withheld until all suspicions are investigated and an outcome has been resolved)
  5. Make sure a full completed proxy access consent form has been provided by the patient 
  6. Obtain authorisation from a senior clinician fro the proxy to have access to the record
  7. A clear understanding from the proxy on how they should maintain the privacy & security surrounding the patients records and how best any concerns they have regarding the records should be raised
  8. Check with the patient that their records contains no potentially harmful information or any thrid patry information that they do not wish the proxy to see
  9. The identity of the practice team members who have authorised accessed, the level of access given, the legal justification for proxy access & the completed consent form should all be included in the patients record 

You can collect a Proxy Access Form from Crayford Town Surgery reception

For more information; 

GP online services toolkit: Applications for proxy access | RCGP Learning

Manage health services for others - NHS App help and support - NHS