Patient Access Reviews 1,185

TrustScore 1 out of 5

1.1

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 90 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many people found the user experience, website, and app to be problematic, often encountering difficulties with logging in and accessing their accounts. Customers frequently reported issues with password recognition, verification codes not arriving, and being locked out of their accounts, which made ordering repeat prescriptions or managing their health records extremely frustrating. The service was often described as overcomplicated, with many finding the multi-step authentication processes, including the use of authenticator apps, to be a significant barrier, especially for elderly users. Reviewers also noted that the app and website frequently malfunctioned, leading to wasted time and an inability to complete essential tasks, ultimately hindering rather than helping patients.

What people talk about most

User experience

Consumers find the user experience to be frustrating and cumbersome, with many reporting significant... See more

Website

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of the website, with many describing it as poorly designed and difficult... See more

Application

People report negative experiences with the app, citing frequent login issues and being locked out of their... See more

Service

Customers consistently note negative experiences with service, describing it as difficult to understand, a... See more

Order

Reviewers mention significant frustration and difficulty with the ordering process, especially for repeat... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

So disappointing. All I've done is change my phone but due to this Patient Access won't allow me to order any repeat prescriptions. I've dealt with Nick from their tech team and may as well have had a... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The sote has bee ruined. I used to use it regularly for repeat prescriptions, test reports etc. The new security layers make it almost impossible to get into. eg it didnt recognise my password (well... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Even ignoring the bugs, terrible UI, login issues etc. the whole system just makes everything slower. Seemingly gone are the days where you order a repeat prescription and can collect it from the... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Patient Access is a textbook example of how to squander public funds. What should be a simple, user-friendly app to streamline NHS services is instead a clunky, convoluted mess. Logging in feels lik... See more


Company details

  1. Health & Medical

Written by the company

Patient Access is a free app that you can use to book GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your medical record and more. Patient Access is not part of the NHS and does not receive any funding.


Contact info

1.1

Bad

TrustScore 1 out of 5

1k reviews

5-star
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1-star

No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Help

Up to now I have had no problems with PA except they keep trying to make you get an authenticator. Now for the past two days their text authenticator is not working, have tried on my account and my wife's account to no avail. So the problem now is how do we get our prescriptions ordered. Been in touch with PA but no response. This can be a life threatening situation.

11 May 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Problems using the App.

Finding it now impossible to use the App, really difficult and stressful trying to sign in. Complicated by long verification codes, codes to scan and also another shorter code asked for and then a message saying “ Cannot Add
Verification Code to this account.
You already have a verification code for this account. To add a new one, remove the existing verification code and try again.” After trying many times I’ve had to give up.

4 May 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Patient Access and Pillbox Chemists Ltd - charlatans

Tried to book a blood profile test (paid) through Patient Access at a local pharmacy. The on-screen calendar showed all dates and times available so I selected the one that was convenient. Payment taken by Patient Access. The next day I was contacted by Pillbox Chemists Ltd - responsible for organising the in-pharmacy blood profile test - to say date not available as phlebotamist on training course but no way of blocking out unavailable dates on Patient Accesss system. Pillbox also said I had to contact PA to arrange re-fund as PA is the payment system. In turn PA is blaming Pillbox for mis-managing staff availability. I'm still waiting for a refund. Appalling customer service.

11 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Complete garbage

Complete garbage. How much NHS money has been spent on this? Such a waste. As usual, if I need to contact my GP I’ll end up phoning the surgery. A miserable experience dealing with this app.

28 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Getting on my nerves...

I am amazed to see how Patient Access makes the simple task of signing-in a complicated endeavour unnecessarily. Probably the worst experience ever for a site dedicated to serve patients. Furthermore, the whole process of sign-in one's account has sadly not improved over the years but degraded.

30 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cannot access the portal

Tried to access the portal for a repeat prescription. Message comes up saying they cannot access my records from the surgery. Sent a ticket to the technical department, which they have confirmed. However, there is no ticket number, so how do they track the tickets and the clearance of the problem? This company clearly has no idea what it is doing. Why is the NHS paying for this incompetence. I despair about the state of this country. The NHS needs to get a firm like Amazon in to show them how to run an efficient working IT system.

10 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Way too complicated to access

Why is it so complicated? There is no need to be like Fort Knox to access my information which nobody else would be interested in. It used to be easy and useful……

6 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Utterly useless and unreliable system

Utterly useless and unreliable system - multiple attempts required to login - even multiple Captcha used 'for verification' like some sort of piracy site! This is no way to run a health service.

2 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The app is as bad as my local surgery

The app is as bad as my local surgery. I’m registered with Patient Access ok but unable to make appointments, request prescriptions or do anything. The app tells me to fill in the linkage details to link to my surgery. I do that (for the umpteenth time), only to get the same old message back saying I’m already linked. The surgery fob me off with yet another email containing the linkage key, despite me explaining I’ve already done that. The technical bods at Patient Access either do not respond to my problem, or fob me off with an email with 10 different links to various problems, none of which refer to mine. I’ve tried deleting App & starting over, but same problem. I’ve even changed my phone. I give up.

24 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

I liked this app until they recently "…

I liked this app until they recently " upgraded it. I found the old app easy to use particularly the reordering my medication. Booking doctors appointments was simply and it sent the appointment to my diary. Now it is pot luck to find the reordering medication section. Often easier to log out and try later. Considering trying a different app.

22 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Impossible to Complete Registration

Glad I visited this page. It has made me feel a lot better. I have found it impossible to complete registration even after following the apparently simple steps provided on a sheet by my medical practice.

11 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolute rubbish

Wished I could give it minus five. It used to be an ok,ish app but every time you go into now you have to dismiss there insistence you download a THIRD party app for an additional layer of security. To my mind, a third party app reduces security rather that improving it. Third party apps are more prone to attacks. No need to remind anyone of recent security breach on a number of NHS websites. My bank, insurance companies PayPal and many others are more than happy to have your email, password and if necessary a six digit verification code sent to your phone. If I can find an alternative prescription ordering site that my surgery uses I will be changing. I have to ask myself if Patient Access receives a financial reward for every third party app downloaded from their login page.

7 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Unable to use

Been using for a few years and although not great it certainly was not bad until January 2025, it is so bad I have started using the NHS app. Uninstalled and reinstalled but nothing, contacted technical help twice but not even a decency to respond. I've now uninstalled it and won't be using it again.

6 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Spam e mails

Started receiving e mails from this garbage company that I never even signed up to.
Difficult to unsubscribe from something I never subscribed to.
Typical trash of anything associated with the NHS

29 January 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Not fit for purpose and complete waste of time and effort

At first it worked OK but since it's brought in the app identification it's so complicated it's ridiculous and I haven't managed to access my repeat prescription request once! When I had to change my password my antivirus software wouldn't let me access the link! How are older and less tech savvy people who would benefit most from not having to go to the GP for their repeat prescriptions supposed to use this? A complete waste of time.

26 January 2025
Unprompted review

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