Please note: GP Connect functionality requires activation through NHS England. Please follow these setup instructions to begin the process of enabling GP Connect for your organisation.
GP Connect is a secure NHS integration feature that enables care providers in Access Care Planning (ACP) to access real-time patient GP records directly within the ACP system. This integration improves care quality by providing instant access to critical patient information including medications, allergies, clinical history, and other essential GP data.
Activation required: Before you can use GP Connect, your organisation must complete NHS requirements and register with Access. See Activate GP Connect for your organisation for step-by-step instructions.
What is GP Connect?
GP Connect allows authorised care providers to:
Access real-time GP patient records without leaving Care Planning.
View structured NHS data including medications, allergies, encounters, and clinical history.
Link service users to their GP records securely through NHS validation.
Maintain role-based access to ensure appropriate data visibility.
Access up-to-date patient information for better care planning and decision-making.
GP Connect gives your care team instant, secure access to your residents’ GP records — at the point of care, when they need it. No more chasing surgeries, hospitals, waiting for faxes, discharge summaries, transfer of care information or relying on outdated information.
With GP Connect, your staff can see medications, diagnoses, allergies and immunisations in real time, so they can make safer, faster direct care decisions. It’s quick to switch on, fully NHS-backed, and already making a difference in care homes and home care across the country.
Turn on GP Connect — because the people we care for deserve joined-up care.
GP Connect lets your care team see up-to-date GP records instantly — no waiting, no guesswork. That means safer, faster decisions for your residents. It’s easy to activate and fully supported by the NHS. Turn it on — and bring better care into your service.
How it works
Integration architecture
GP Connect integrates with NHS Digital services to securely retrieve patient data:
Personal Demographics Service (PDS) Validation: Validates patient identity using GP Practice Identifier and demographic data.
GP Connect API: Retrieves structured patient data from GP systems.
Role-based access control: Ensures users only see data appropriate to their role.
Secure Authentication: All access is logged and audited for NHS compliance.
Linking Process
Navigate to a service user's record in Access Care Planning.
Access the GP Connect tab.
Click Set up GP Connect.
Verify service user details match NHS records.
Complete the linking process with validated data.
Access real-time GP data immediately after successful linking.
Prerequisites
Active Access Care Planning account
GP Connect feature enabled by the System Administrator
Appropriate role permissions for GP Connect access
Valid NHS patient data in ACP for successful linking
Set up GP Connect
Tenant configuration
Your System Administrator will need to:
Ensure compliance with NHS Digital requirements
Enable the GP Connect feature
Your Tenant Administrator will need to configure role-based permissions for users
User permissions
GP Connect uses role-based access control with three permission levels:
View: Full access to GP Connect records including Summary, Encounters, Clinical Items, Problems and Issues, Allergies and Adverse Reactions, Medications, Referrals, Observations, Immunisations, and Administrative Items.
Edit: Access to set up GP Connect and unlink GP Connect from service user records, including View permissions.
Restricted View: Limited access to Summary pages only (View checkbox must also be checked).
Note: Permissions are configured in:
Configuration
Services
Roles under the GP Connect entity.
Create service users for GP Connect
When creating new service users in ACP, ensure the following details are accurate for successful GP Connect linking:
Required Information:
First Name.
Last Name.
Date of Birth (DOB).
Gender.
NHS Number.
GP Practice Identifier
Please note, this field is also known as the ODS Code, which stands for Organisation Data Service, maintained by NHS England. You can search for your Customers GP Practice Identifer or ODS code on the ODS website.
Important: All demographic information must match NHS records exactly for successful linking.
Link service users to GP Connect
Step-by-step process
Open the service user record in ACP.
Click on the GP Connect tab.
Click Set up GP Connect.
The system will validate against PDS using:
Last Name.
Gender.
Date of Birth (DOB).
Validation results
Successful match
If all core details match PDS records, the patient data from PDS is displayed on screen.
Review the patient information to confirm it matches the correct service user.
Check the checkbox The above information is correct, and I confirm this record belongs to the patient.
Click Continue to complete the linking process.
GP Connect data becomes available after confirmation.
NHS number mismatch:
If the NHS number doesn't match PDS records, an error message appears.
Error message: 'The NHS number you are using (XXXXXXXXXX) is incorrect. The correct NHS number is XXXXXXXXXX, please update it from the Customer Record page'.
Update the NHS number in the service user record and retry linking.
Partial match:
If First Name or GP Practice Identifier don't match, a comparison table appears.
Review ACP data against PDS values.
Correct any discrepancies in ACP before proceeding.
No Match:
Error message: "Customer not found. Please check details and check they have not opted out."
Verify Last Name, Gender, and Date of Birth are correct in ACP
Update demographic information and retry
Access GP Connect data
Once successfully linked, users can view:
Available Data Tabs
Summary: Overview of patient's key medical information.
Encounters: Recent GP visits and consultations.
Clinical Items: Test results, observations, and clinical notes.
Problems and Issues: Current and historical medical problems.
Allergies and Adverse Reactions: Known allergies and adverse reactions.
Medications: Current and past prescriptions.
Referrals: Specialist referrals and transfers.
Observations: Vital signs and clinical measurements.
Immunisations: Vaccination records and history.
Administrative items: Non-clinical practice management information.
Data refresh
GP Connect data is retrieved in real-time from GP systems, ensuring you always have the most current information available.
Unlinking from GP Connect
Users with Edit permissions can unlink service users from GP Connect:
Navigate to the linked service user.
Open the GP Connect tab.
Click Unlink GP Connect.
GP Connect data will no longer be accessible for that service user.
System status and availability
Service availability
GP Connect availability depends on NHS system status.
Users are notified if GP Connect services are temporarily unavailable.
System displays appropriate messages for service interruptions.
Error handling
The system provides clear error messages for common issues:
Patient not found in NHS records.
GP system unavailable.
Demographic data mismatches.
Authentication or permission errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
Who can access GP Connect data?
Only users with appropriate GP Connect permissions can access this feature. The specific level of access depends on their assigned role such as View, Edit, or and NHS compliance requirements.
How do I know if a service user is linked to GP Connect?
Linked service users will display:
GP Connect tab with accessible data
Real-time GP data in relevant tabs
Is there a limit to how many service users can be linked?
There are no specific system limits on linking service users to GP Connect. The limitation is based on your Organization's needs and NHS compliance requirements.
Linking and setup issues
Why can't I link a service user to GP Connect?
This typically occurs because:
The service user's Last Name, Gender, or Date of Birth in ACP doesn't exactly match NHS PDS records
The NHS Number is incorrect or missing
The service user is not registered with an NHS GP
What should I do if demographic details don't match?
If you see a comparison table showing mismatched First Name or GP Practice Identifier:
Review both sets of data carefully
Update the ACP record to match the correct PDS information
Contact the service user or their GP if there are significant discrepancies
Data Access & Permissions
Why do I only see the Summary tab?
If you only see the Summary tab, you have Restricted View permissions. Contact your administrator if you need access to additional GP Connect data tabs.
Can all care staff access full GP records through GP Connect?
No. GP Connect uses strict role-based access control with three permission levels:
View: Full access to all GP Connect tabs (medications, allergies, clinical history, etc.)
Restricted View: Limited to summary information only
Edit: Ability to link/unlink service users (includes View permissions)
Can I edit GP Connect data?
No, GP Connect provides read-only access to GP data. This ensures data integrity and maintains NHS compliance standards.
Can I print or export GP Connect data?
GP Connect data access is typically restricted to viewing within the ACP system for security and compliance reasons.
Data & Clinical Information
What types of GP data are available through GP Connect?
Available data varies by GP system but typically includes:
Current and historical medications.
Known allergies and adverse reactions.
Recent consultations and encounters.
Clinical observations and test results.
Current health problems and diagnoses.
Referrals and specialist appointments.
How current is the GP Connect data?
GP Connect retrieves data in real-time directly from GP systems, so you're viewing the most up-to-date information available from the patient's registered GP practice.
What should I do if I suspect the GP data is incorrect?
If you believe GP data is inaccurate:
Remember this is read-only data from the GP system.
Contact the patient's GP practice directly to discuss any concerns.
Document any discrepancies for clinical review.
Do not rely solely on potentially inaccurate data for care decisions.
Can GP Connect be used for emergency access?
Yes, GP Connect provides immediate access to critical patient information including allergies, current medications, and recent medical history, making it valuable for emergency care situations.
Is GP data stored in our ACP system?
No. GP Connect data is never stored locally in ACP. All information is retrieved in real-time from NHS systems when accessed and is read-only. This ensures you always see the most current information while maintaining data security.
Security & Governance
What governance measures ensure only authorised staff access GP Connect?
Multiple layers of governance protect patient data:
All organisations must sign the NHS National Data Sharing Agreement (NDSA).
GP Connect must be enabled at tenant level by an administrator.
Role-based permissions control individual user access.
NHS validation requires exact patient demographic matching.
Full audit trail of all access (who, when, what, which patient).
NHS ASID registration required for each organisation.
How is patient consent handled for GP Connect access?
GP Connect operates under legitimate interest for direct care provision under UK GDPR. Patients don't need to give explicit consent but can opt out through:
The NHS National Data Opt-out service.
Type 1 opt-outs registered with their GP practice.
When a patient has opted out, the system displays "Customer not found" and access is blocked. There is no override mechanism.
What safeguards prevent inappropriate access and ensure data protection compliance?
Technical and procedural safeguards include:
Read-only access (no modification of GP data possible).
No local storage - data retrieved in real-time from NHS systems.
Comprehensive audit logging for compliance reviews.
Encrypted connections to NHS Digital services.
Session timeouts and secure authentication.
Staff can only access patients already in their care within ACP.
No bulk export or search functionality across multiple patients.
Service Availability & Coverage
What happens if the GP Connect service is unavailable?
If NHS GP Connect services are temporarily unavailable:
You'll see a system status message indicating the service is down.
Previously linked users will show unavailable status.
Normal functionality resumes when NHS services are restored.
Is GP Connect supported in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland?
No, GP Connect is an NHS England initiative and only operates in England. Each UK nation has its own health service and digital infrastructure:
Wales: Uses Welsh Clinical Portal and Individual Health Record (IHR) systems. The equivalent service for clinical advice in Wales is Consultant Connect, which provides Welsh healthcare professionals with access to specialist advice through an app and phone system. For digital record sharing, Wales uses different systems including My Health Online Wales.
Scotland: Has separate digital health platforms including the Emergency Care Summary (ECS) and Key Information Summary (KIS). Scotland uses its own infrastructure for sharing patient information between care settings, managed by NHS Scotland.
Northern Ireland: Uses the Northern Ireland Electronic Care Record (NIECR) for sharing patient information across health and social care providers. This system is managed by the Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI).
GP Connect's technical infrastructure, including ODS codes, spine connectivity, and NHS Digital services, are specific to NHS England. If your organisation operates across multiple UK nations, you would need different integration approaches for each nation's health system.
A Client wishes to ensure that their health record data is not visible in GP Connect. How do I handle this?
Individuals can manage this by interacting with the National Data Opt-Out service.
The National Data Opt-Out (NDOO) service enables people to view or change their National Data Opt-Out choice at any time and to decide whether their confidential patient information can be used for research and planning.