More patients register online with family doctor

In Leeds 216,888 patients are registered for online GP services. That is nearly a quarter of people on doctors’ books in the city.

GPs whose practices have embraced online services are already seeing the benefits. There are fewer patient calls and fewer people are failing to attend, which has saved wasted time.

Dr Masood Nazir, National Clinical Lead for NHS England Patient Online programme, said “There are many demands on GP practices, so encouraging patients to register for online services is not only helping reduce some of the pressure but it is empowering, enabling and motivating more patients to share the responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.

“We are seeing many examples of this particularly working well for patients with long term conditions who can use their GP record to become more knowledgeable and confident about their condition, treatment and care prior to attending an appointment with their doctor or nurse.”

Patients who register for online services can also order repeat prescriptions, view their patient record and see test results without visiting their GP.

The latest national figures of 14m patients using GP online services is an increase of 42 per cent compared to the same time last year. In Yorkshire and the Humber more 24.3 per cent of a patient population of 5.8m have signed up. Registering for online services is simple and free. Patients should take a form of ID to their GP practice, then complete and sign a registration form. They will be given a unique password and username to help them set it up.