Contents

• Introduction
• Installing an authenticator app
• New users registering for a Patient Access account
• Existing Patient Access users with Memorable Word as two-factor authentication
• Existing users with SMS as two-factor authentication
• Sign-in to Patient Access using an authenticator app once configured

Introduction

To ensure the highest level of security, Patient Access will now ask you to enter a 6 digit time-based passcode each time you sign-in, as well as your username and password. To access a passcode, you will need to install an authenticator app. 

Note: If you have biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID) enabled, you will not be asked to enter an authentication code each time you sign-in. Alternatively, if you are within England, you can use NHS Login to access your Patient Access account instead.  

Installing an authenticator app

You will be prompted to install a third-party authenticator app as part of the process below. This app will provide you with access to the Time-Based One Time Passcode (TOTP) that will be required when signing in to Patient Access in future.  

You can use any authenticator app of your choice on your mobile, tablet or desktop device. 

Many authenticator apps are free. Some examples of free authenticator apps are listed below: 

Android

• Google Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator
• 2FAS
• Aegis Authenticator

iOS

• Google Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator
• 2FAS
• Twilio Authy
• iOS built-in authenticator

Windows

• WinAuth
• Keepass
• Authenticator.cc (extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge) 

Mac OS

• Step Two
• Keepass
• Authenticator.cc (extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge)

Linux

• Keepass
• Authenticator 

New users registering for a Patient Access account

1. Enter your personal details.  
2. Click Continue. 
3. Enter your email address and create a password. 
4. Accept the Terms and Conditions. 
5. Click Create account. 
6. Enter a mobile number.  
7. Click Continue. 
8. Now your account has been created you must verify your email address. An email will be automatically sent to the email address you registered your Patient Access account with. This will provide you with a link to verify your account. 
   
   Note: The verification email will expire in 24 hours. If you have not verified your email address within 24 hours, you can click  Re-send verification email  to send a new link to your email address. 
   
   You can click Skip verification for now to verify your email address at a later time. However, please be advised that you can only skip verification for 10 days after this your account will be locked until you have verified your email address
9. You will be prompted install an Authenticator App on your device. Once you have done so, click Continue.  
    
   Follow the steps on your authenticator app to scan the QR code that appears in Patient Access.  
   
     
   If you are not able to do so, click enter the text code where you will be provided with a code to enter instead. Follow the steps on screen to complete the process.  
   
   
   
   
10. Click Next.  
11. Enter the 6-digit code that appears in your authenticator app.
12. Click Verify.  
      
    
13. Your Patient Access account now has two-factor authentication applied using TOTP. When you next sign-in to Patient Access, you will be asked to enter your 6 digit code using your authenticator app.
14. Click Done to be directed to your Patient Access dashboard. 

Existing Patient Access users with Memorable Word as two-factor authentication

If you have not yet configured SMS authentication or installed an authenticator app, you will be asked to enter your Memorable Word one last time before you are prompted to update this to an authenticator app.  

1. Sign-in using your username and password.  
   
   Note: If you use NHS Login, you will not be required to install an authenticator app.  
     

2. Enter your Memorable Word for a final time and click Continue.  

   
   
3. You will be prompted install an Authenticator App on your device. Once you have done so, click Continue.  
   
   
   
4. Follow the steps on your authenticator app to scan the QR code that appears in Patient Access.  
   
   
   If you are not able to do so, click enter the text code where you will be provided with a code to enter instead. Follow the steps on screen to complete the process.  
   
   
   
5. Click Next.  
6. Enter the 6-digit code that appears in your authenticator app. 
    
   
7. Click Verify.  
8. Click Done to be directed to your Patient Access dashboard. 
    

Your Patient Access account now has two-factor authentication applied using TOTP. When you next sign-in to Patient Access, you will be asked to enter your 6 digit code using your authenticator app.

Existing users with SMS as two-factor authentication

SMS authentication will no longer be a valid authentication type. Instead, you will be asked to upgrade this to an authenticator app when you next sign-in.  

1. Sign-in using your username and password.  
   
   Note: If you use NHS Login, you will not be required to install an authenticator app.  
   
   

2. Enter your code received via SMS for a final time. 

   
   
3. You will be prompted install an Authenticator App on your device. Once you have done so, click Continue.  
   
   
   
4. Follow the steps on your authenticator app to scan the QR code that appears in Patient Access.  
   
   
   If you are not able to do so, click enter the text code where you will be provided with a code to enter instead. Follow the steps on screen to complete the process.  
   
   
5. Click Next.  
6. Enter the 6-digit code that appears in your authenticator app. 
      
7. Click Verify.  
8. Click Done to be directed to your Patient Access dashboard. 

Your Patient Access account now has two-factor authentication applied using TOTP. When you next sign-in to Patient Access, you will be asked to enter your 6 digit code using your authenticator app.

Sign-in to Patient Access using an authenticator app once configured

Once you have completed one of the three options above, your subsequent sign-ins will be much quicker.

1. Sign-in using your username and password.  
   
   Note: If you use NHS Login, you will not be required to install an authenticator app.
   
2. Enter the 6-digit code that appears in your authenticator app. 
      
3. Click Verify.  
   
   Note: If you have biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID) enabled, you will not be asked to enter an authentication code each time you sign-in.  
4. You will be taken to the Patient Access dashboard.