Do you use the NHS App?
- Healthwatch Southend
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Government is keen to get more people accessing services using mobile phones, tablets and computers. This is especially the case in the NHS, with patients being encouraged to make appointments, request prescriptions, and access information. The NHS 10 Year Plan is calling for a move from analogue to digital.
We know many people will be happy to do this. It also means taking some pressure off telephone lines at GP surgeries and hospitals. But we also know it won't work for people who cannot afford a mobile phone, have English as a second language, or have a disability.
As well as listening to Southend residents regularly about their experiences of using the NHS App, we ran a survey to collect some more information.
Most people found it easy or very easy to use
Most patients used it to order repeat prescriptions, with fewer using it to make appointments or get information about their health; very few patients used it to record their choices about organ donation
Some users were frustrated about different apps or online platforms not linking up, especially if they attended more than one hospital
Some of the reasons for not using the NHS App included preferring to speak to a person or concerns about security of their information
Although the NHS App is being promoted nationally by the NHS, we have made a number of recommendations to the Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB). They are responsible for planning and funding the majority of NHS service you use. We think there are a number of ways in which patients can be supported to make better use of the NHS App, if they want to. These include:
how to make, rearrange or cancel appointments
how to manage services for your child
explaining all the things that can be done using the NHS App
We're also calling on the ICB to remind patients that they do have a choice of how to make a GP appointment - by phone, calling in to the surgery or using the App.
You can read our report here:
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