Part of Guide for volunteers: helping someone set up their NHS App
Data protection and safeguarding considerations
Data protection considerations
As a volunteer, you must understand and adhere to key data protection principles:
Don't handle devices: Guide verbally rather than physically handling their devices.
Never view or handle personal data: Make sure you don’t see passwords or personal medical information.
Be aware of your surroundings: Ensure screens aren't visible to others.
Safeguarding considerations
As a volunteer helping potentially vulnerable individuals:
Verify capacity: Ensure the person understands what they're doing and can make informed decisions about their NHS account.
Report concerns: Always follow your organisation's safeguarding policy and procedures, and remember that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
Avoid coercion: Never pressure someone into creating an account.
Maintain boundaries: Your role is to guide, not to take control of the process.
Last edited: 8 April 2026 2:25 pm