There are several ways to access Patchs:
- use NHS Login (see here)
- create an individual Patchs account (see here)
- create a Patchs account as a carer for someone else (how to do this is detailed on this page)
- use a 'Guest Account' (see here)
In this article we show how to register for Patchs as the carer of someone else.
⚠️ Please note, these instructions are only applicable if the person you care for is registered at a practice other than your own.
If you are a patient at the same practice as the person you care for, you should register for Patchs as a patient and then add the patient as someone you care for.
We strongly recommend creating a Patchs carer account rather than using a Guest account. This is because, once you have done so, you will enjoy these benefits:
- Not having to keep entering your details each time you use Patchs
- Your medical information being safer because it's password protected
- Being able to track the progress of your requests
- Easily seeing if your GP practice is trying to contact you
- Viewing past conversations you've had with the GP practice
- Being able to submit requests on behalf of people you care for
Having an account also makes it easier for the GP practice. This is because they won't have to keep re-checking your details each time you submit a new request.
Registering for a Patchs Account as a carer
This section explains how you can register for Patchs as a carer.
Follow the Patchs link from your practice’s website. The screenshot below shows an example from the Langworthy Medical Practice - your own practice's website may look a little different.
Once you have clicked on the Patchs link, you will be taken to the Patchs Landing page.
Here, click on the Contact my GP button.
You will now be taken to the Patchs Login page. To register for Patchs as a carer, you should click on the Continue with Patchs button.
You will be taken to the Patchs login page, where you should click on the button which says Create an account as a carer only:
You will be shown the warning below. Please confirm that you are not yourself a patient at the practice by clicking the Yes button.
⚠️ If you are a patient at the same practice as the person you care for, please do not create a carer account. Instead, you should register for Patchs as a patient and then add the patient as someone you care for.
Clicking Yes will take you to the Patchs Registration page.
To register, first you need to click on the Patient End User License Agreement link and read the information.
Then confirm that you: 1. have read, understood and agree to the terms and conditions (1st tick box). 2. that you are aged 16 years or over (2nd tick box).
Check the two boxes, and click Continue:
You will now be taken to the Create an account as a carer page, where you can enter your details.
Then, add the details of the person you care for:
When you have finished, check the three boxes at the bottom of the page to confirm that the information you have provided is accurate, that you have the consent of the person you care for to act on their behalf, and that the person you care for is registered at the practice. Once you have done this, click the Create an account button.
Doing so will validate all the mandatory information you have entered. Any problems with your registration details will be highlighted for correction.
If there are no problems, your registration request will be submitted.
Following successful validation and submission, you will be taken to the Registration Acknowledgement page, which informs you that we have sent you an email:
Please look for the email in your email account. It contains a registration completion link. You need to click on the link so that we can verify your email address and create your carer account.
If you don’t receive the email within 5 minutes please check you Junk email folder. If it's not there, please try to register again and check your email address is correct.
Once you have clicked on the link in the email, your carer registration will be complete.
Log into your new Patchs carer account, where will see the details of the person you care for. Click the Make A Request button at the top of your dashboard to begin a new request for help:
This will load the How can we help you? page, where you need to click the Someone I care for button to begin a new request for help: