This article covers:
What is the NHS App?
The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services via an app or through your browser. It’s one way that patients can access eConsult for themselves or for a child.
Patients can find a lot of information for themselves, without needing to contact the practice. Next time your patient asks for a piece of information or to make a request, why not highlight the NHS App? The more patients help themselves through the App, the fewer contacts you’ll get.
If the Practice enables access within their clinical system patients will be able to review:
Summary Care record
Recent blood test results
Covid vaccine status - their vaccine passport
Organ donation information
eConsult in the NHS App
Patients can use the NHS App to submit an eConsult for...
Themselves or their child.
Their long term conditions through our review questionnaires.
Where to find eConsult within the App:
Select the 'Advice' button from the options menu at the bottom of the App screen.
Select the 'Ask your GP for Advice' option from the main screen
Accept the terms and conditions screener question and continue
Patients can use NHS Login via the practice website too. This will pre-populate some of their information as part of the submission process so that they don't need to type this information in themselves (e.g. personal details, contact information).
Features not currently available in eConsult via the App
At the moment, patients are not able to upload photos alongside their eConsult.
Benefits of the NHS App for practice and patients
The NHS App is a good self-service channel for your patients to be able to get information, advice and complete many requests without needing to contact the practice.
Reduce administrative requests
It’s tough out there with increasing demands at the moment. Often, patients contact the practice to verify information, such as their NHS number, allergies, medication, test results and details of previous consultations.
Remind them that the NHS App is a great resource to find their information in their own time, without needing to call or contact the practice. You could reduce the number of administrative requests that you get, via eConsult or other channels.
For you, patients using the NHS App or login means that your patients are verified.
Trusted advice
It’s instinctive to Google something you’re unsure about, but it’s not the place to go for accurate and up to date health advice. Patients can use the App to search for trusted NHS information and advice. If a patient asks a question that can be answered online, why not suggest they search for it on the NHS App to find the answer?
Improved patient access
Patients can make a lot of choices and changes in their own time through the App. They can request repeat prescriptions and select a nominated pharmacy, making it easier for you to send scripts directly.
They can also submit an eConsult for themselves or their child at any time of day if they think they need help from someone in the practice. All of our review (long term condition) questionnaires are also now available from the NHS App.
eConsults submitted from the App will reach you in the normal way, however, they will show as a ‘verified’ patient on the eConsult Report you receive.
The NHS App will also be used to demonstrate your COVID Pass, which shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status. Find out more about the COVID Pass on the NHS App.
See the full list of what patients can do with the NHS App.
Promoting the NHS App to patients
You should have received guidance on promoting the NHS App from NHS Digital. You can find general information including leaflets designs, videos and social media content on the NHS Digital webpage here.
Using the NHS App and NHS login
Your patients will need a UK mobile number and an email address to get set up with NHS login and the NHS App. Find out more about getting started with NHS login.
Once a patient has got an NHS login, they don’t have to use the mobile app. They can access NHS App services from the browser on desktop or laptop computers by going to this link: https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/login
If patients have any issues using their NHS login they can get help with this link: https://help.login.nhs.uk/
If you have any questions or you feel that this article could be improved, please feel free to give us some feedback by emailing us, pressing the emojis below or using the chat button on the bottom right-hand side of this page to speak to one of the eConsult team.