A Guide to PATCHS

Patchs is the fastest way to contact your GP practice online to get health advice, request an appointment and ask any health questions you may have. It is an online consultation platform.

Watch the video to learn more about Patchs.

How do I get started with Patchs?

Patchs requires new users to make an account. You only need to enter your details the first time you create an account. Patchs will then prompt you to answer a few questions about your issue, typically around five questions in total.

Please provide a good level of detail so that we understand more about your request. This will help us to make sure your consultation is dealt with by the appropriate person.

Follow these quick and easy steps:

1. Click the button below to access the Patchs page unique to your GP practice;
2. Follow the steps to create an account – you will need an email address and to make a password;
3. Once you have made your account, you will see multiple question options regarding your health needs. Choose whether you are seeking help for a new health problem or an ongoing health problem;
4. Then, answer a few simple questions to help the triaging team understand your problem or need;
5. Your answers will be sent to a trained triaging team who will respond as quickly as possible and assign your request to the right clinician or service. They may reach out via email, SMS, or phone call. They will schedule a telephone or face-to-face consultation with you, if necessary;
6. Once you have made your account, you can access Patchs via your Practice website, or by searching ‘Patchs’ on your smartphone and entering your login details.

Register with Patchs Now

Flowchart demonstrating the Patchs process:

Patchs FAQs

What if I cannot use Patchs?

If you are struggling to use Patchs, our reception team can help you create an account and guide you through completing your first PATCH. If you do not have internet access, please ring us on (centres number) so that our reception team can support you by completing a Patch for you.

What happens  after I submit my Patch?

Once you submit your Patch, it will be dealt with by a trained triaging team. They will allocate the Patch to the appropriate team to deal with your issue. A healthcare professional may call you or want to see you in person. Please answer the questions with as much detail as possible when submitting your Patch. If we require more information from you, we may reply to your Patch asking for additional information.

How is my data used/protected?

We take data privacy very seriously.

Patchs is a product developed and maintained by Patchs Health and Advanced. It is approved by the NHS, which means it meets strict security and privacy standards – including the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit and Cyber Essentials +.

Patchs uses your anonymised data to improve the service – ‘anonymised’ means that you cannot be identified from it. This includes developing ‘artificial intelligence’ to support your GP practice, and help them to help you get the care you need safely and quickly.

‘Anonymised’ means you cannot be identified.

Patchs does not sell your data and will never share your data without your consent.

If you would like to find out more about how your data is processed, please see the Patchs End User License Agreement.

Changing your password

The process will be different depending on whether you usually login:

1. with your Patchs account, or:
2. with your NHS Login

Please note that if you’ve forgotten your password and cannot login, you should refer to the tab below.

Changing your password when you usually login with a Patchs account

1. Log into Patchs in the way you usually do, using your email address and your Patchs password.
2. Once you are logged in, click on your name in the top right corner of the screen. This will reveal a dropdown menu.
3. Select the Change Password link.
4. Here, you should enter your new password. When you are happy with your password and have confirmed it, click the Save button to finalise the change.

Your password has now been updated, and you should use this new password to login to Patchs in future.

Changing your password when you usually login with NHS Login

1. Log into Patchs in the way you usually do, using your NHS Login.
2. Once you are logged in, click on your name in the top right corner of the screen. This will reveal a dropdown menu.
3. Select the Manage NHS Login Account link.

You will now be redirected to the NHS login page. From here, you should follow these steps:

1. Click on Login and security settings
2. Under ‘NHS account login details’, click the ‘Change’ button next to your password
3. Enter your current password in the outlined box, press continue
4. Enter your new password
5. Click change password to confirm the change

Your password has now been updated, and you should use this new password to login to Patchs in future.