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The government has announced that the NHS app will now be the primary method of communication for millions of patients in England, with an expected savings of £200m over the next three years. This shift will involve sending more test results, screening invitations, and appointment reminders directly to smartphones, moving away from traditional paper-based letters which currently account for approximately 50 million communications sent to patients annually.
According to the Department of Health and Social Care, a £50m investment will facilitate the increased use of the NHS app, leading to an estimated total of 270 million messages being sent through the app this financial year. Push notifications will be utilized to remind patients of upcoming appointments in an effort to reduce the number of missed appointments, which stood at around eight million in elective care in the year 2023/24.
The aim is to empower patients to manage their healthcare journey more effectively and make informed decisions about their care. With over 11 million monthly logins to the NHS app and almost 20 million users opting in to receive healthcare messages, the app has become widely utilized across England, with 87% of hospitals now incorporating its services. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized that this digital transformation will enhance patient convenience, comparing the experience to online banking or ordering takeout, while also freeing up resources that can be redirected to frontline services.
While the move towards digital communication has been praised for its potential benefits, concerns have been raised by Prof Phil Banfield, chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) council. He urged caution against alienating patients who may not have access to digital technology, advocating for safeguards to ensure that vulnerable and elderly individuals are not left behind in this digital revolution. This announcement follows previous initiatives introduced by the government, including plans to expand the app’s capabilities for booking treatments and appointments, as well as providing prescription tracking updates akin to those offered by online retailers like Amazon
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