The NHS App - What it can do
The ‘Patients Know Best’ project is adding additional functionality to the NHS App. From October 2023, adults aged 16 and over registered with a GP in England can securely access a record of your Homerton Healthcare appointments through the NHS App.
In this first phase, once you sign up, you will be able to see your personal information and check upcoming hospital appointments from your phone, laptop, or tablet. You will still receive letters and texts from us in the usual way.
Over the next few months, more features will be added.
All your data is stored securely, and the service is free for our patients and easy to use. Simply log in via the NHS app.
You can use this service to track your own health if you wish to. This is for your records and your clinical teams won’t be able to see it unless you provide them access.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do I sign up to access this service in the NHS App, run by Patients Know Best (PKB)?
The NHS App is available on Apple and Android
You can also use the NHS App website
Option 1: from the NHS App
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1. Log into the NHS App with NHS login | 2. Enter your NHS login details | 3. Enter security code |
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4. Click on the 'Appointments' icon, then 'Referrals, hospital and other appointments' | 5. Click 'Continue' to access PKB | 6. Agree to share your NHS login information with PKB |
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7. Complete PKB registration form, which includes setting up your password and security question, and click 'Next' at the bottom of the page | 8. Arrive in PKB and review sharing settings, click 'continue' and then 'save' on the last page. You will then be taken to the see your Homerton appointments | 9. Registration complete! |
A welcome email will be sent to your email address. You no longer have to manually sign in when navigating to PKB from the NHS app, your NHS login can now do this for you.
Option 2: via a web browser
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1. Go to PBK login page and click 'Log in with NHS login' | 2. You will be directed to the NHS login sign in page |
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3. Enter your email and click continue | 4. Enter your NHS login and password and you'll be sent a One Time Passcode (OTP) to your mobile phone. Enter the OTP and click 'continue' |
- You will now need to agree to share your NHS login information with PKB
- You will be shown a registration form to complete. The form requires you to set up a password and security question for your PKB account & enter your address.
- Remember to accept both the User Agreement & Privacy Policy for PKB.
- Complete the form and click next and you will be signed into PKB with your NHS login.
If you do not have an NHS login or want to find out more, please visit the NHS login webpage.
What does the Patient record look like on the NHS App?
Here are some screenshots of the NHS app showing the appointments screens
Why are Homerton Hospital offering this service?
We want to give you the information you need about your hospital appointments in one place and directly in your hands.
For patients waiting for a hospital appointment, operation or treatment, we want to make sure you are supported with the correct information.
In the NHS App, patients will be able to:
- see their appointments, clinic letters, test results, care plans
- request to change or cancel their appointment
- complete forms or questionnaires before and/or following an appointment
- record symptoms in a health journal
- access resources shared by health and care services
- choose who can see/access their patient held record, for example, a carer, family member or other health professionals.
Will this affect my care?
No, this will not affect the care you already receive from us. Instead, it’s designed to improve your care and experience, help you to be more involved in decisions, get better communication from us, and give you the tools to manage your care safely at home.
Does this mean I won't receive any letters or texts from my hospital?
No, you will still get communications from us in the normal way. This is just another way to check your hospital appointments and view to your health record.
Is my information secure?
Patients Know Best is compliant with the NHS network, so it’s just as secure as the information your healthcare providers already hold on you. However, it's unique because it also gives you, the patient, access to your information via any web-enabled device. Patient information is encrypted (or coded) and only people who have permission to view your information can do so.
We encrypt data in both transit (i.e. when the information comes in and out) and storage.
Please see our privacy policy for further details of how Homerton Healthcare use and process any personal information you give us. It also has details of who to contact if you would like to speak to somebody regarding your data.
You can also visit the North East London Health and Care Partnership website for information about how data is shared and processed across healthcare organisations across North East London.
Do I need an email address to register?
Yes. you can only use one unique email address per registration e.g. you can’t use a family shared email if your family/friend already uses that email for their PKB account. If you are registering via the NHSApp, it will automatically use the email address associated with that account.
Why have I received an email from Patients Know Best (PKB)?
If you have been a patient at Homerton Healthcare within the last two years, PKB will send you an invitation to register via email. This will link your hospital appointments and clinical letters from PKB in the NHS App.
PKB will notify you of new information on your record via email, such as a new appointment or clinic letter. Email notifications come from no-reply-uk@patientsknowbest.com. You do not need to reply to the email, it is letting you know there has been something added to your record.
Can I ask someone else to register on my behalf?
Yes, you can ask someone else to register on your behalf, with your consent. However, they should not use their own email account to do this. If you want the family member or carer to have access to your record they can be added in the “sharing” section. This will allow them to set up their own account and allow you to control the level of access they have to your record.
What devices can I use to log in?
You can access your Patients Know Best record through the NHS App on any smartphone, tablet, or desktop device. Download the NHS App in the App Store or Google Play, or visit the NHS app website.
Do I need internet access to use the service?
Yes. This is an online service and will require you, or a carer, to have regular internet access to receive your correspondence via the system and to use the additional features.
What Homerton Healthcare information is available in my health record in the NHS App?
Once registered, you will be able to see future Homerton acute service appointment information and some letters including; discharge letters and clinical letters. The trust is working hard on introducing more information about your health and care including test results and forms and questionnaires.
This health record is held and led by you, meaning that you can add your own information if you wish, such as tracking your symptoms, recording medications you are taking, or make notes to monitor your condition.
Why can’t I see my appointment information?
Any future appointments for acute services at Homerton information should show immediately in PKB when an appointment has been booked. We have plans in the future for appointments for community and mental health services to be included soon.
My information on the portal is incorrect
Contact the team by emailing huh-tr.pkb@nhs.net to change your information. The team will look into the issues and get in touch with a resolution.
Who do I contact for issues with using PKB?
For any technical web issues, please contact the Patients Know Best team at help@patientsknowbest.com. This is not linked to Homerton Healthcare NHS Fioundation Trust, so please do not share any personal or clinical information in this email.
For any other issues or questions about your data, you can contact our own team at huh-tr.pkb@nhs.net