More than half of local people now have the NHS App on their phone

More than half of patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have now downloaded the NHS App, new figures show.

Just under 56% of patients have the technology installed on their phone, with take-up ranging from 51% in Luton to almost 61% in Central Bedfordshire.

The Government’s 10-Year NHS Plan, published earlier this month, described how NHS services would shift from the analogue to the digital space, with the NHS App becoming a ‘doctor in your pocket’.

By 2028, the app will be a full front door to the entire NHS, with patients able to take advantage of new services such as instant advice for non-urgent care and help finding the most appropriate service first time, choosing their preferred healthcare provider, booking directly into tests (where clinically appropriate), holding online consultations, managing their medicines, booking vaccines, and managing a long-term condition.

This is in addition to the existing functions such as ordering repeat prescriptions, managing appointments (at some practices only), viewing your GP health record, obtaining test results, register an organ donation decision, and choosing how the NHS uses their data.  NHS 111 online is also available via the NHS App for instant advice or medical help nearby.

Mark Thomas, chief digital and information officer at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“I am delighted to see the increasing uptake of the NHS App as it becomes the first point for non-emergency contact.  It offers various live services that allow residents to manage their healthcare needs online, including the ability to order repeat prescriptions, book and manage appointments, access health records, and communicate with GP surgeries.  Residents can also access NHS 111 Online for health advice and guidance.

“The more the NHS App is used, the more quickly new services will become accessible through it.  Remember, though, that while this is a really quick way to access services, other methods are still available, just not as quickly as an app in your hand.”

The NHS App is compatible with both Apple and Android devices and can be found in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.For more information on the NHS App, please visit the NHS website.