NHS App services are being offered by 87% of hospitals in the UK, which has saved 1.26 million clinical hours since July, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Estimates also suggest that around 1.5 million missed hospital appointments have been prevented and 5.7 million staff hours saved in total over the past eight months, due to easier access to information and services through the app.
These hours and appointments have led to the equivalent of £622m in savings, according to the DHSC.
The app has also enabled almost 12 million fewer paper letters to be sent by hospitals since July, saving around £5.2m in postage costs. Forecasts predict that in-app notifications for planned care will also prevent the need for 15.7 million SMS messages this year, with the DHSC estimating savings of £985,000.
In July 2024, 68% of hospitals were offering appointment and other services through the NHS App, and the increase to 87% has exceeded the Government target of 85% by the end of March 2025.
The national director for NHS digital channels recently said a further aim is to achieve ‘at least’ 100 million logins a month by 2026.
Tech is ‘the fuel we need to power change’
Commenting on the NHS App success, health secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘This Government is determined to get our NHS fixed and fit for the future – and this is just one of the innovative ways through the Plan for Change that we’re helping patients, cutting waiting lists and saving taxpayers money all at the same time.
‘By putting the latest technology into the hands of patients so they can access services quicker, we’re freeing up more time for doctors and nurses to focus on treating people and getting waiting lists down.
‘This Government is doing things differently. Every missed appointment and wasted staff hour saved means another patient getting the care they need as we drive a digital NHS revolution through our Plan for Change.’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer added that the NHS has been ‘stuck in the dark ages’.
‘NHS reform has to come through better use of tech – it’s the fuel we need to power change,’ he said.
‘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.’
Increasing productivity via the NHS App
Dr John Dean, clinical vice president of the Royal College of Physicians welcomed the news of NHS App services being more widely available across hospitals.
‘A focus on incrementally building functionality in the NHS App to support patients to manage their own healthcare will lead to better more connected digital systems that work better for staff and patients, freeing up time and increasing productivity,’ he said.
‘We are keen to work closely with NHS England and the Government to ensure that the NHS App is rolled out and improved in ways that most benefit patients and clinicians. It is also vital that we ensure sufficient mitigations are put in place so that those without access to the app are not excluded from accessing the same quality of patient care.’
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, added: ‘The NHS figures showing 1.5 million prevented missed appointments and 1.7 million staff hours saved demonstrate just how transformative this innovation can be.
‘While this digital progress is vital and the 20% increase in hospital participation is welcome, we must also ensure no one is left behind. Digital access remains a barrier for many, so we welcome the initiative providing support for online health services at 1,400 libraries across England. This kind of practical support needs to remain a key priority as services continue to modernise.’
Sophie Randall, director of the Patient Information Forum, recently said that credible information from certified sources to support patients in their care ‘should be embedded in the NHS App’, as well as in face-to-face interactions across the NHS.
