GP surgeries pilot proxy access for families on NHS App

Proxy access for families is being piloted on the NHS App, allowing parents and carers to manage their loved ones’ health.

The service being developed by NHS England gives people the ability to apply to add another profile to their NHS App online, saving them time and cutting admin for GP practice staff.

Almost 12,000 people have applied through pilots in 68 GP practices, with plans to roll the service out more widely in 2026.

Dr Vin Diwakar, clinical transformation director at NHS England, said: “The family access feature in the NHS App makes it much easier for parents and carers to support the health of their loved ones – and it’s as simple as switching Netflix profiles.

“It’s also hugely beneficial for GP practices, reducing the time staff spend on admin and freeing up resources, as well as improving efficiency and coordination of care.

“This is a great example of how we’re transforming healthcare by harnessing digital technology as part of the government’s 10 year health plan, as well as tackling digital exclusion.”

Previously parents or carers had to go into their GP practice to set up proxy access for a relative, with paperwork usually taking at least half an hour.

The new way of applying via the app means that in pilot areas, parents or carers who are registered at the same GP practice as their loved ones can apply by providing their details.

These go through verification checks through national NHS systems and via the GP practice before access is granted.

Once patients have signed up through the app, they can switch between their own and their relative’s profile, with the potential for parents to then be able to book GP appointments for their children, or carers to order repeat prescriptions for an elderly relative.

Will Palmer, digital community connector at Frome Medical Practice in Somerset, one of the GP practices piloting the scheme, said: “Patients are so relieved that they can easily get set up to order repeat prescriptions or see test results for their loved ones in the NHS App.

“For our practice, it reduces the admin burden and improves efficiency, care coordination and communication, as well as empowering carers – it’s a gamechanger.”

The service has been most often used by parents for their children.

It also improves access to the NHS App for people who may not have the correct device, data coverage or digital skills, or face language barriers.

Latest data from NHSE shows the NHS App now has 38.5 million registered users, with an average of 56.5 million logins each month for people to manage their healthcare.

Under the governments’ 10 year health plan, published on 3 July 2025,  the NHS App is intended to become the “front door” to the NHS with plans for an AI companion, mental health support and a feature which allows patients to search for data on health providers.