Our Patient Portal
Overview
We often send messages by post, email, or text to let you know appointment details and reminders.
Our new Berkshire Healthcare Patient Portal, provided by Portasana, is a convenient app that can be downloaded to your smart device for easy access to your health information at any time. The portal can also be accessed on a webpage.
Why are we changing?
We want to put you in charge of your healthcare. Our patient portal offers you more control over when you are seen.
If you receive appointment information from one of our services using Digital Appointment Correspondence (DAC), you will soon receive an invitation to sign up for our portal.
Our first service using the new portal is Berkshire Mental Health Service (Bracknell). When you begin your care with this service, you will receive a text invitation asking you to download and register for a Portasana account.
If you’re under the care of one of our other services, you'll continue to receive letters and appointment reminders in your current format.
You might not see anything for a while as we introduce the new portal system across all our services. Thank you for your patience.
What does Portasana offer?
At the start, you'll be able to:
- View your appointment information, including digital appointment letters
- Confirm your appointment
- Request to rebook your appointment at the touch of a button - the service will then contact you to rearrange
- Add appointment information to your device calendar
- View a map of your appointment location
- View the app in up to 8 different languages
- Set your preferences as to how you want to be notified of changes, such as text, device notifications, and email
- Use accessibility features such as large font and dark/light mode
You'll continue to receive reminders of your appointment at 7 days and then 2 days before your appointment.
If you don’t want to register, you don’t have to. We will send a letter in the post instead. If you don’t view your appointment letter on the app, we will send you a copy in the post.
In the future, we'll be introducing new features such as:
- Viewing and downloading your clinic letters
- Accessing resources to support you
Using Portasana
When it’s time for your service to move to the new system, you will receive a text message with a registration link.
At your appointment, make sure you confirm your information is up to date.
Once you receive your registration invite, we suggest you download the app onto your smart device.
Once you've registered for Portasana, you can update your mobile number and email address that will be used to receive appointment correspondence and notifications. Please be aware that this does not update these contact details for Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the NHS App, or any other healthcare providers, so patients should contact their healthcare provider to update their contact details with them as well.
You'll need an NHS Login account to register and connect with the portal.
Once you've registered, you will be asked to connect to Berkshire Healthcare. At this stage, you can view our Privacy Notice, which explains how we use your data.
This is to make sure the right person is connecting to information from your clinical record and will only need to be done once.
Services using Portasana
We're working on providing the portal across all our services so that you can access all your information in one place.
Services currently using the patient portal:
- Berkshire Mental Health Service (Bracknell)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to use an app?
You don’t have to.
However, digital solutions and apps are part of everyday life, and the benefits are that you have the information at the touch of your hand.
If you don’t register you will continue to receive letters in the post.
What if I don’t have a smartphone?
You can still use your computer or tablet. There is also an iPad app if you prefer.
If you don’t register or view the information by the above methods, you will receive an appointment letter in the post.
Will my appointment letters be digital, or printed?
As we move to the new portal system, appointment letters will still be sent via post.
When the portal is ready to use, you will receive digital copies of your appointment letters once you register for the app and can view them in the portal.
If you don’t register for the app or view the letters digitally, they will be sent in the post.
Can I request paper only and how can I do this?
If you don’t want to use this solution, that is okay, we can make sure you receive your information by post.
We would encourage you to speak to your service, and they can talk you through the paper only process.
We'll record your preference, so you won't receive any further digital messages.
What if the patient is a child?
If you’re aged 15 or under, your parent or guardian will continue to receive appointment letters in the post.
A function to manage this within the portal will be available soon.
Can I ask for the information to be shared with someone who supports my healthcare?
This option is not available yet, but we are working hard to provide it soon.
In the meantime, the person who supports you with your healthcare will receive appointment information via SMS and postal letters.
How do I view old appointments?
When you register with the portal, you’ll be able to view your future appointments as they are booked by the service. Once completed, they will move to the past appointments section.
You can use the filter to view all appointments, future or past.
Please contact your service if you need any information about appointments that took place before downloading the app.
Why do some services use different communications?
Half of our services use Digital Appointment Correspondence (DAC). We'll be moving them to our new Patient Portal (provided by Portasana) over the next year.
While we’re moving them to the portal, you may receive correspondence in different ways, such as the portal app, Digital Appointment Correspondence texts and web portal, email or just a postal letter.
What if I need help or have more questions?
You can contact Wellola, the providers of Portasana, if you have questions about the Berkshire Healthcare Patient Portal, the app, or need help on how to use it.
Please contact our trust service directly if you have a question about your appointment or medical information.
You will find the service number or email address can be found on any of your appointment letters.
Visit the Wellola website to contact Portasana support: