NHS App Expansion to Deliver Test Results and Reduce Costs

The UK government has announced a major expansion of the NHS app’s capabilities, aiming to make it the primary method for delivering healthcare information to patients in England — a move expected to save the health service £200 million over the next three years.

 Digital Shift:

• A £50 million investment will support the app’s enhanced role in sharing test results, screening invitations, and appointment reminders directly to patients’ smartphones.

• This marks a move away from traditional communications like letters, of which 50 million are sent annually.

• The number of messages sent via the app is expected to reach 270 million this year, a 70 million increase from the previous year.

 Inclusive Communication:

• Patients who don’t use the app will receive text messages, with letters used only as a final fallback.

• This transition is also intended to reduce pressure on NHS phone lines.

 Improved Services:

• Features in development include:

  • The ability to sync appointments with personal calendars.

  • Tools for contacting GP surgeries directly.

• Users will also benefit from prescription tracking, allowing them to check the status of their medicines in real time — similar to online shopping updates.

 Adoption & Reach:

• The app sees over 11 million monthly users, with nearly 20 million patients signed up to receive notifications.

• Currently, 87% of hospitals in England are integrated with the NHS app.

 Government Statement:

Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the upgrades as part of bringing the NHS “into the digital age,” aiming to make managing healthcare as seamless as online banking or food delivery, while freeing up resources for frontline services.

11-06-2025