High Demand Predicted for NHS App This Christmas
NHS England anticipates a substantial surge in the use of the NHS App this Christmas Day, with projections indicating that over 35,000 people in the North West are expected to utilise its services. This regional forecast is part of a broader national trend, as record numbers are predicted to access the digital health platform across the United Kingdom during the festive period.
Last Christmas Day, the app saw significant activity, with more than 313,000 people across England logging in. On average, there were over 200 logins every 60 seconds, underscoring the app's critical role in healthcare access during holidays.
Essential Services Accessible During Festive Period
The NHS App offers a vital 'digital front door' to health services, particularly when GP practices and many pharmacies operate with reduced hours or are closed on bank holidays. Users can access a wide array of features, including:
- Ordering repeat prescriptions and tracking their status
- Viewing GP health records and test results
- Managing and booking GP and hospital appointments
- Accessing health advice, including the NHS 111 online service for urgent, non-emergency conditions
Last year, common health concerns such as norovirus, flu, and chest infections were among the most frequently viewed advice pages on the app and the nhs.uk website on Christmas Day.
Growing Reliance on Digital Health Tools
The increasing reliance on the NHS App reflects its continuous growth and the integration of new features. As of recent figures, the app boasts over 39 million registered users across England. The number of people actively using the app has seen a significant rise, with 10.6 million logins recorded in November 2024, compared to 7.3 million in November 2023. Similarly, the number of repeat prescriptions ordered through the app increased by 47% over the past year.
Dr. Paula Cowan, GP and Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England in the North West, highlighted the app's importance, stating, 'The NHS is there for people all day, every day and it's great to see the number of people accessing the NHS App on Christmas Day last year to get the help they needed.' Jules Hunt, Interim Director General for Technology, Digital and Data, echoed this sentiment, encouraging everyone to 'unwrap the app this Christmas' to manage their health effectively.
The Future of Digital Healthcare
The NHS App continues to evolve, with new functionalities such as an 'Amazon-style' prescription tracker, available at nearly 2,000 pharmacies, and a family feature designed to help parents and carers manage the health of their loved ones. These advancements are part of a broader strategy to position the app as a central component of the new NHS Online service, expected to launch in 2027, which aims to enable direct booking with specialists online.
5 Comments
Kyle Broflovski
Always glitches when you need it most. Unreliable.
Eric Cartman
The growth in app usage shows people want digital options, which is positive. Yet, we need to balance this with maintaining robust in-person services, as technology isn't a silver bullet for all healthcare challenges.
Stan Marsh
What about people without smartphones or internet? Digital exclusion is real.
Kyle Broflovski
It's good to see the NHS embracing digital tools for efficiency, but there's a risk of over-saturating people with too many digital interactions when sometimes a simple phone call or visit is more effective.
Eric Cartman
Just another way to avoid staffing actual GP surgeries.