A campaign launches today to encourage Londoners to manage their health online in the same way they manage other areas of their life such as banking and shopping.

GP online services is a quick, easy and secure way to book GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions and view parts of your GP health record, including information about medication, allergies, vaccinations, previous illnesses and test results. This makes life easier for patients and frees up time for those working in practices.

In surgeries where GP online services has been adopted, certain practices have reported  a  35 per cent reduction in people not showing up creating more available appointments for other patients to book.

Practice managers in surgeries with high patient registration for GP online services are also reporting a great improvement in the administrative process and improved patient care. With less time spent on the phones allowing for more time to focus on patient care, administration and requests.

1.7 million Londoners have registered for online services and a national survey showed that 89 per cent of those surveyed said registering is easy to do. Over the next few months London’s clinical commissioning groups working through Healthy London Partnership want to encourage as many Londoners as possible to sign up to these services and start taking control of their health.

Evidence shows that patients who are involved in their health and care have less admissions to hospital and better health outcomes overall.

Murray Ellender, London GP, The Hurley Group Practice says:

“Just as people manage other aspects of their lives, they can now manage their health online in the same way. GP online services are making a huge difference in our practices. It has benefits for everyone. Our practice staff feel more in control of their workloads, patients find it easier to manage their health and our missed appointments have reduced by 35 per cent. I can’t emphasis enough how much Londoners’ can benefit from this fantastic service and I encourage more patients and GP surgeries to sign up.”

Lyn Crawford, receptionist, Earlsfield Medical Practice says:

“I’m a big fan of GP online services; it’s a great thing for patients and practices. At every opportunity I try to encourage our existing patients and those registering to sign up.

“GP online services is great for those who lead busy lives, have long term medical conditions such as diabetes and asthma and those who simply want to get more involved in the management of their health.

“Our practice staff have also seen a real improvement in the way we are able to manage our workload. I really recommend practices embrace and encourage GP online services with their patients.”

Signing up is quick and easy. People simply need to tell their GP surgery that they would like to register. Patients will then receive their unique username and password and can start using the online services straight away. For more information visit GP online services.

Notes to editors

• Everyone who is registered with a GP can get access to their practice’s GP online services. For more details, please visit the GP online services website.
• The services available depend on the online system your GP practice uses. Ask your practice what services they offer when you sign up and in some instances patients are able to book their first appointment online.
• Healthy London Partnership formed in April 2015. It has been working across health and social care, and with the Greater London Authority, Public Health England, NHS England, London’s councils, clinical commissioning groups, and Health Education England. We have united to amplify the efforts of a growing community of people and organisations that believe it is possible to achieve a healthier, more livable global city by 2020.
• For further information about GP online services please contact Maria Vidal-Read in the Healthy London Partnership communications team on 07811 462 287 or by email: maria.vidal-read@nhs.net

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