How to access NHS services online

Get NHS help online

Contents

contact your GP
order repeat prescriptions
manage long-term conditions
maintain your mental and physical wellbeing

If you need an NHS service, try to do it online first. If you cannot get what you need this way or do not have internet access, try asking a friend or family member to help you, or speak to your GP surgery on the phone.

When to go in person

You should still go to the hospital in a serious or life-threatening emergency or if you feel very unwell.

You should also continue to attend appointments for ongoing treatment, unless you have been told not to.

Otherwise, you should only visit your GP, hospital, or other NHS care provider in person if you have been told to by a healthcare professional. This helps to keep you safe, keep others safe, and protect the NHS.

Health information and advice

The NHS website has information and advice on:

For urgent medical advice, the NHS 111 online website will tell you when and where to get help and can arrange for you to be contacted by a nurse if needed.

Only call 111 if you are unable to get help online. In an emergency, dial 999.

If you need to contact a GP

Most GP surgeries can be contacted online. You will be able to tell your GP about your health using an online form or by speaking to someone online. This is called an online consultation.

You can also make requests and ask for information. Visit a GP surgery website to find out how to do this.

Find a GP website

You may already use a GP's online services. This is an account on a website or app that you can use to access some services online. Patient Access, Practice Plus, and myGP are examples of GP online service providers.

If you already have an account to access your GP online, log in to see the services you can use. If not, visit your GP's website to find out about signing up.

You can also use the NHS App to access GP services. You will need to download and set up the app first if you have not used it before.

More about the NHS App

Appointments from home

Most appointments with a GP, nurse, or other healthcare professional will now be via phone call or video call using your smartphone, tablet, or computer if they need to see you.

If you have not had a video call before or are unsure how it works, it is an easy process, and there is nothing to worry about.

Ordering repeat prescriptions

Did you know you can order repeat prescriptions online without needing to go to a GP surgery or pharmacy?

You can also ask your pharmacy about getting your medicine delivered to your home rather than needing to collect it.

You can order repeat prescriptions using:

The NHS App also allows you to set and change which pharmacy your prescription is sent to.

You can pick one near where you live or choose one that will deliver your medicine to help cut down on travel while staying at home.

Ways to manage long-term conditions

While staying at home, it's important to keep managing any physical or mental health conditions you may have.

The NHS Apps Library has a wide variety of apps and online tools that can help with this, covering different conditions and categories like diabetes, pregnancy and maternity, and mental wellbeing.

This page is based on content that originated from the NHS (adapted).

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