NHS England has today announced that the NHS App is now available with a web-based version to be released in the coming months. This follows an initial testing period between September and December with of 3000 patients.

The app itself has been available to download on the Apple and Google app stores since December 31st. However, individual GP practices will still need to ‘review some of their system settings before they can go live and all the functions of the NHS App will be available.’

When a GP practice is fully connected, patients will be able to use the NHS App to:

  • Book and manage appointments at their GP practice
  • order their repeat prescriptions
  • securely view their GP medical record
  • check their symptoms using NHS 111 online and the health A-Z on the NHS website
  • register as an organ donor
  • choose whether the NHS uses their data for research and planning.

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said: “I love the NHS so I want it to use all modern technology to serve patients. The NHS App will give patients more control over their own healthcare and revolutionise the way we access services.”

A significant and constructive step forward

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, welcomed the launch: “Technology plays an increasingly important role in the NHS, and in our patients’ lives.

“The new NHS App promises to be a significant and constructive step forward in using technology to support patients to manage their own care and wellbeing. We hope it will make navigating primary care services easier for patients by making it possible for them to book appointments, order prescriptions, and check their medical records on their smartphone, if they wish to.”

As part of targets set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, the government aims to give all patients the ability to have digital GP consultations within five years.