What new features and functionality will the NHS app see in 2023?

The Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Digital have revealed plans for a number of new features to be added to the NHS app

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Digital Health

Currently, patients using 20 NHS trusts have the ability to view referrals and hospital appointments, book appointments and find supporting information ahead of their appointments, such as hospital maps. A new feature will empower patients to book, change and cancel their appointments themselves, helping to save valuable clinician and admin time within the NHS. By March 2023 a further 24 NHS trusts are expected to also have this capacity within the NHS App.

The DHSC has also announced that the app will roll out additional features over the course of the coming year, including the booking of ‘flu vaccinations and the ability to access correspondence, such as pre-consultation questionnaires.

“Technology is transforming the way we use the NHS and, with over 30m sign-ups to the NHS App across the country, including 7m this year alone, there is huge potential to modernise services for patients and staff,” said Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay.

“We have added innovative new features – from accessing GP records to booking COVID-19 jabs – that will help us ease pressures on GPs and other primary care services, and provide more effective, personalised care.”

Last year saw new introductions to the NHS app including patients being able to access their GP records as well as book their COVID-19 jabs. More than 28,000 bookings for jabs were made via the app in the first four weeks after the feature was added to the NHS App in November.

“The NHS app continues to change the way people in England access healthcare services,” Simon Bolton, interim chief executive at NHS Digital, said. “Since it was launched, four years ago, millions of people have used it to book GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions and view GP records.

“We’ve also added new features to the app to help people manage hospital appointments, book COVID-19 vaccinations and receive messages from GPs. The NHS app is a great example of how technology can be used to help people take control of their healthcare, and access NHS services quickly and easily.”

The new features of the NHS App reflect the DHSC’s Plan for Digital Health and Social Care, which was published in June 2022.