Increasing access to patient records

By 2015, all patients are expected to be able to order prescriptions and book appointments online, as well as being able to access their own GP-held records. This will undoubtedly hold benefits for patients and health professionals, but is likely to present significant challenges for nurses in terms of managing patient expectation and ensuring fair access. This article discusses the background to records access and outlines the possible benefits for patients and nurses. It gives a personal perspective of the challenges for nurses and patients in accessing online GP services.