Millions of patients will gain greater choice and flexibility through a significant update to the NHS app, making it easier to manage their healthcare
The UK Government’s Plan for Change set out plans to end hospital backlogs and shift NHS services from analogue to digital. The latest NHS App reform has saved 5.7 million staff hours since July 2024, following changes to hospital appointments on the app. Additionally, 87% of hospitals are offering services through the app, a 20% increase since July 2024, exceeding the government’s targets.
Helping patients manage their healthcare flexibly
New data shows that 1.5 million appointments have been saved following the accelerated rollout of the NHS app, which aims to help patients access treatments conveniently. This is part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to give patients greater control over booking their treatments and appointments.
Users can manage appointments, view prescriptions, access their GP health records, and receive notifications at the touch of a button, reducing stress on healthcare services and providing easier access to information and services.
The government has exceeded its first target under the plan to increase the number of hospitals allowing patients to view appointment information via the app up to 85% by the end of March – reaching 87%, up from 68% in July 2024.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our NHS has been stuck in the dark ages – held back by old-fashioned systems where patients are struggling for appointments and unable to access their own data.
“We saw during the pandemic how apps can totally transform everyday access to health services. So there’s no excuse for the lack of progress in the NHS we’ve inherited.
“NHS reform has to come through better use of tech – it’s the fuel we need to power change.
“As we deliver our Plan for Change to end hospital backlogs, I want to see more and more people having the option to use the App, so that everyone benefits from more control and choice over their treatment.”
The NHS app has helped save £622m
Since July 2024, greater use of existing NHS app features has saved nearly 5.7 million hours of staff time, including 1.26 million clinical hours across care settings. The NHS App has helped save the equivalent of £622 million.
The app has spared staff from managing appointments, completing questionnaires, ordering repeat prescriptions, and taking patient details, freeing up frontline staff to focus directly on patient care and treatment.
The NHS is offering support for older adults to help improve App accessibility
New analysis has revealed that patients are getting treated quicker, with trusts offering App services and online systems cutting waiting times for more elective care patients than those who do not.
Furthermore, NHS Trusts that use the app’s key features saw a three-percentage-point increase in the number of people waiting less than 18 weeks in November 2024. This would equate to 211,000 more treatments meeting the 18-week target over the same period if expanded to all hospitals nationwide.
The government has also reported that almost 12 million fewer paper letters have been sent by hospitals since July 2024, saving £5.2 million in postage costs. 2025 forecasts show that in-app notifications for planned care will also prevent the need for 15.7 SMS messages, saving a further £925,000.
The NHS also supports elderly and vulnerable patients by allowing them to use the NHS App online.
Dr. Vin Diwakar, NHS national clinical transformation director, said: “The NHS App is leading the way in switching from analogue to digital services, empowering over 37 million users with faster access to information and slashing waiting times.
“With services now live in 87% of hospitals, it is also boosting NHS productivity, cutting the number of missed appointments and freeing up almost 5.7 million staff hours since July alone.”
Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “Any innovations that give patients more control over their care, reduce the risk of missed appointments and free up valuable staff time so they can focus on patients are a step in the right direction.
“While it’s really positive that even more hospitals are now offering services through the NHS app, trust leaders know that not everyone has access to or feels comfortable using technology. That’s why it’s welcome that alongside paper letters and phone calls, the NHS is offering more support to help elderly and more vulnerable patients access online health services, including via the NHS app.”
