Online access to your medical records (Prospective Access)
What you need to know
From 31st October 2023, all GP practices in England are required to provide patients with access to new information added to their medical records. This is called prospective access and includes anything added from that date onward. Access is available through the NHS App, NHS website, or any other service that uses NHS login (like Patient Access).
What will you see?
Your medical record may include:
Notes from consultations with GPs, nurses, and other clinicians
Test results (blood tests, scans, referrals, etc.)
Documents from other services (e.g., hospitals, mental health or counselling services)
Medications, allergies, immunisations, and coded diagnoses
This means you’ll be able to review your healthcare information in your own time, helping you feel more involved in your care.
You may see some medical abbreviations and shorthand in your record. There is helpful NHS page explaining what many of these terms mean — click here to view the abbreviation guide.
The benefits
See test results as soon as they’re filed
Review advice and plans discussed during appointments
Increased understanding of your health and treatment
Support for self-care and decision-making
Things to consider
Access to your record can be empowering, but it can also present risks if:
You’re viewing sensitive informationwithout explanation or support
You’re in a vulnerable or pressured situation where someone else could access your login
Letters or notes contain upsetting information meant to be shared in person
We support your right to access your information. As your practice we also have a legal responsibility to protect your data and ensure access is appropriate for each patient.
Keeping your information safe
If you choose to use the NHS App or website, it’s vital to:
Keep your login details private
Log out of shared devices
Avoid sharing your password with anyone
Opting out
If you do not want online access to your record or are unsure whether it’s right for you, please contact the practice. We can disable access if it’s in your best interest to do so, and you can opt back in at any time.
Need help?
Please speak with the Patient Services Team or learn more about your record here www.nhs.uk/gp-record
Weight management services
We have a variety of weight management services designed to support patients aged 18 years and over. These services aim to help patients make sustainable changes to improve their health and wellbeing.
What’s on offer?
The chart below outlines what services are on offer dependent on your need. You can also use the tool to calculate your BMI.
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for Weight Loss
The new weight management medication ‘Tirzepatide’ (brand name Mounjaro) is shortly being made available to NHS patients to support weight loss. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is currently in the process of establishing community-based weight management services, which are set to launch this summer. Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide you with anymore information at this stage. Please visit the following website which will be updated as soon as the new service is active:
Please complete the form below to start your referral process.
Weight Management
West and Central Cheshire Talking Therapies service
West and Central Cheshire Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) service offers a range of talking therapies, advice and information for people aged 16 and over, who have mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
You can find out more information on the service and find out how to self-refer by visiting the West and Central Talking Therapies website.
Flu & COVID Vaccination Clinics
Flu and COVID vaccinations will launch on Thursday 3rd October 2024 in Ellesmere Port town centre.
The clinics will be held in two locations:
*Weekdays: Civic Hall, Ellesmere Port
*Saturdays: Old Job Centre, Port Arcades
Please see below for clinic dates and times and eligibility criteria.
Please do not miss this opportunity to protect yourself and those around you this Winter.
Hope Farm Medical Centre is a part of One Ellesmere Port Primary Care Network (PCN). The PCN is a collaboration of the 6 GP Practices from across the town who are working together to develop better services for our patient population.
Advice & support leaflets
We have a range of leaflets, booklets and forms available for download on this page.
Your clinician may advise you to download one of the following documents following your consultation.
If you require any help downloading or viewing these documents please contact the Patient Services Team at the practice. Paper copies of these documents are also available from Reception if you would prefer to come in and collect a copy.
Click on the links below to download the documents
Healthy Ageing booklet This booklet includes information relating to health and wellbeing servicesfor older people within the Ellesmere Port area.
SMART Recovery leaflet This leaflet is about the SMART Family & Friends Programme which is designed to help you achieve a healthy, positive and balanced lifestyle while supporting your family and friends
Call the appointments hotline on 0300 247 0020 to book your appointment, no referral or prior GP appointment is required.
The service is run by HCRG Care Group on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Integrated Sexual Health Service.
Travel vaccinations
If you are travelling abroad vaccinations may be required. Our practice nurses will be able to advise you which vaccinations you require depending on your destination.
Please allow up to 8 weeks’ notice – this gives us chance to order the necessary vaccines from the manufacturer and also for them to take effect before you travel.
Hope Farm Medical Centre is a designated Yellow Fever Centre.
Child immunisations
Practices play a key role in ensuring the health and well-being of children
Child immunisations
Child immunisation involves administering vaccines to children at specific ages to protect them from various diseases. These vaccines help build immunity and prevent serious illnesses.
Child health reviews are offered by the practice by letter, telephone or text for children at 8 weeks old. Reviews are offered to monitor children’s growth, development and overall health.
Cancer screening
Cancer screening involves three national screening programs: bowel, breast and cervical screening.
Bowel cancer screening
Bowel cancer screening checks if you could have bowel cancer and is available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years. Regular NHS bowel cancer screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer as bowel cancer is the 3rd most common type of cancer. Screening helps prevent bowel cancer or detects it early when treatment is more effective.
Getting Your Home Test Kit
Everyone aged 60 to 74 years registered with a GP in England receives an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years.
The program is expanding to include everyone aged 50 to 59 years.
If you’re 75 or over, call the free bowel cancer screening helpline at 0800 707 60 60 to request a kit.
Watch this video on using the NHS bowel cancer screening FIT kit.
Read more about bowel cancer screening by visiting the NHS UK website.
Breast cancer screening
Breast cancer screening aims to detect early signs of breast cancer. Breast screening services use x-rays called mammograms to check for signs of cancer. Mammograms are offered automatically by letter in the post for women aged 50 to 71 years.
Regular breast screening can find breast cancer before you notice any signs or symptoms and early detection leads to better outcomes.
You can read more about breast cancer screening by visiting the NHS UK website.
Cervical cancer screening
Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It’s offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
For those aged 25 and 49 years old there is a 3 yearly screening test, and those between 50 and 64 years of age have a 5 yearly test. This is a quick and painless procedure performed at the practice by one of our nurses (appointment is required).
Read more about cervical screening by visiting the NHS UK website.
Weight loss surgery privately and abroad
If you are considering having private weight loss in the UK or abroad please note the following important information:
The aftercare for weight loss surgery is of a specialist nature so for patients who have had NHS bariatric surgery, it is provided by our local weight loss surgery service, not their GP practice.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside does not commission or fund a service to provide aftercare for patients who have had weight loss surgery in the private sector or abroad.
This means that we are unable to provide aftercare for weight loss surgery ourselves and we are unable to refer you for this elsewhere in the NHS.
The NHS has published guidance on going abroad for medical treatment (click here) and the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society strongly advises UK residents to be cautious when considering weight loss surgery abroad (click here). If the service providing your weight loss surgery is not providing you with the necessary aftercare, it may be possible for you to purchase this from a UK private hospital or clinic
Although NHS aftercare is not available to patients who have had surgery privately or abroad, please be assured that NHS emergency services are available should any emergency treatment be required because of any issues arising from your weight loss surgery.
If you wish to discuss this matter further, please contact the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Patient Experience Team:
Post – No.1 Lakeside, 920 Centre Park Square, Warrington, WA1 1QY
This information is based on guidance that has been provided by the British Medical Association (BMA) and it was developed by the Association of Cheshire and Merseyside Local Medical Committees.
