Can I access the GP appointment booking tool if I have created an account with NowPatient using my NHS Login credentials?
Yes. You can access this tool immediately, if you have created an account with NowPatient using your NHS Login credentials.
Can I access the GP appointment booking tool if I have created an account with NowPatient without NHS Login credentials?
Not everybody has NHS Login credentials – do not worry – you can still access the GP appointment booking tool if you have created a NowPatient account using your email address. However, if you use your email address, then you will be required to link your NowPatient account using NHS linkage Codes.
Linkage codes (also called linkage keys) are 3 codes that the NHS uses to protect your GP medical record and keep it secure for you. When you have obtained the keys, you can simply enter the 3 codes into the Book GP Appointment tool.
How do I obtain my linkage keys?
To get your linkage keys follow the three simple steps:
Contact your GP practice and ask for access to “online services”
You will also need to state that you would like them to send you your “3 linkage keys”
Each GP practice manages these requests a little differently. Some prefer you to complete a request form online, via their website. Others prefer you to email or to phone
The simplest way to get these codes is by email. Below, we’ve included a template email you can use to request yours.
Once you have requested your linkage keys, your GP surgery will send you a letter or an email, with your codes. You should now have the following 3 codes:
Linkage key or passphrase
ODS code or practice ID
Account ID
You can now enter the 3 codes into the Book GP Appointment tool, which will activate access.
Can I use NowPatient’s NHS Book GP Appointment feature if I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
This service is commissioned by NHS England and is only available to patients in England. You will not be able to use the feature if you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
How can I view my upcoming and past GP appointments?
You can view upcoming and past GP appointments by selecting the appropriate action button on the Book GP Appointment tool, available on the tools page of your account.
I cannot see any upcoming appointment slots for my GP surgery?
There could be a number of reasons for this, such as:
your GP surgery does not currently allow online appointment booking
your GP surgery stopped using online appointment booking after you booked the appointment
you cancelled the appointment
How can I cancel a booking I have already made?
Using the Book GP Appointment tool, select the 'Upcoming Appointments' action button. This will show your upcoming GP appointments. To cancel an appointment, you can find the appointment you have booked and select 'Cancel Appointment'.
Your GP surgery may stop accepting online cancellations if it’s too close to the appointment time. If you cannot cancel your appointment online, contact your surgery.
What should I do if I need an urgent GP appointment?
You should not book GP appointments using the NowPatient App if your requirements are for an urgent same day GP appointment booking.
If you require a same day or urgent booking, please contact your surgery. You can also use 111.nhs.uk if you think you need medical help right now. Alternatively, if it is life-threatening medical emergency, please call 999.
Why has my selected appointment slot has become unavailable while booking?
If the appointment time you selected is now showing as unavailable, someone else may have booked your preferred appointment slot before you finished your booking. If this happens, you can try searching again. There may still be a slot available at the same time, but with a different surgery member.
How long in advance can I book appointments?
The NowPatient App shows appointment slots at your GP surgery, 16 weeks in advance. However, Your GP surgery decides how far in advance appointments are available to book.
What happens after I book my appointment?
You will receive a notification confirming the appointment in your 'My Notifications'. It will also appear in 'Upcoming Appointments' in the Book GP Appointment tool. When a booking has been confirmed, you will be expected to visit your NHS doctor surgery at the time and date agreed.