Hospital patients at every NHS trust across England can now view their referrals and appointments through the NHS App, making it easier for millions to manage care in one place. Around two-thirds (64%) of hospital appointments are currently visible in the app, and many patients can also reschedule or cancel appointments, helping to reduce missed visits.
The NHS App is now connected to every acute NHS trust in England. The technology is cutting costs by reducing paper letters and SMS, freeing up staff time and resources, increasing productivity and helping to tackle waiting lists. Some 41 million people are registered with the app to access services such as test results, prescriptions, patient records, messaging and appointment information from anywhere.
More than 15 million users logged into the app during March alone—an increase of almost a third over the last 12 months. Prescription ordering via the app rose by more than a third, saving time for both patients and NHS staff.
Jules Hunt, Director General of Technology, Digital and Data for the NHS, said the app gives patients more control and choice, cuts out unnecessary paperwork, reduces missed appointments and frees vital staff time so trusts can address waiting lists more effectively. Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister, said the app is already transforming how people manage their care, cutting admin burdens and helping to drive down waiting lists by reducing missed appointments.
Patients at all acute NHS trusts commissioned to provide adult services can now view referrals and appointments in the app, with 8.7 million views in March—up 93% compared to a year earlier. Around half of trusts can send appointment reminders via NHS App push notifications to prevent missed appointments. Patients can also access health documents such as discharge summaries in the app, reducing the need for paper records.
Planned features over the next year include follow-up appointment requests and access to specialist care through NHS Online, the NHS’s new online hospital. NHS Online, which will see its first patients next year, will provide triage via the NHS App and offer video consultations with doctors. The service aims to speed up specialist care by digitally connecting patients with expert clinicians across England, providing faster access to treatment regardless of location.
The NHS App has recently been updated to be simpler and more intuitive, with key services like prescriptions, appointments and test results easier and quicker to find from a refreshed homepage.
