The NHS App has begun its public rollout after private testing with more than 3,000 patients across 30 GP practices in England.
Testing took place between September and December and feedback from patients and practice staff means changes have been made to the online registration process, how GP appointment information is presented and changes to the information patients see before accessing their GP medical record.
The app went into Apple and Google stores on Monday 31 December, with a web-based version due to launch in the coming months.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “I love the NHS so I want it to use all modern technology to serve patients. The NHS App will give patients more control over their own healthcare and revolutionise the way we access services.
“It marks a shift towards a truly digitised NHS and will allow patients to secure a GP appointment with the click of a button, rather than having to join a queue of callers.
“We will continue to add new features in the future to make the app the one stop shop for all NHS services, as part of our long-term plan to build the most advanced health and care system in the world.”
When GP practices are connected, patients will be able to use the NHS app for:
- Booking and managing appointments at their practice
- Order repeat prescriptions
- View their GP medical record
- Check symptoms using NHS 111 online and the health A-Z on NHS website
- Register as an organ donor
- Choose whether the NHS uses their data for research and planning
Matthew Swindells, deputy chief executive of NHS England, said: “The NHS wants to empower the public to take more control of their own healthcare, and the new app, which has already been tested by more than 3,000 people, will put the NHS into the pocket of everyone in England, providing safe and secure access to trusted health information, 111 online, repeat prescriptions and GP appointments.
“Through the Long Term Plan we see the app as the digital front door into the NHS, for those who want to use it, and once rolled out we will continue to develop and enhance its offer to patients, making it the must have health app for everyone in England.”
Most practices will go live between April and June 2019, with the NHS App expected to be fully rolled out to practices and patients by 1 July 2019. Patients can check whether their GP practice is live when they open the app for the first time.
