The NHS app is set to become the default way for millions of patients in England to receive healthcare information, as part of a government plan to modernise services and reduce costs.
According to the Department of Health and Social Care, this shift is expected to save the NHS £200 million over the next three years.
Backed by a £50 million investment, the move will see more test results, screening invitations, and appointment reminders delivered directly to patients’ smartphone reducing reliance on traditional methods like letters. Currently, around 50 million letters are sent to patients each year.
For those unable to use the app, including elderly patients, the system will default to text messages, with letters only used as a final fallback. The government says this will help ease pressure on NHS phone lines.
This financial year, 270 million messages are expected to be sent via the app with an increase of 70 million from the previous year. New features such as push notifications for appointment reminders aim to reduce the number of missed appointments, which totaled around eight million in elective care last year.
Ongoing improvements will also allow patients to add appointments directly to their phone calendars and request assistance from their local GP practices.
Currently, over 11 million people log into the NHS app each month, and nearly 20 million have opted in to receive messages through it.
The app, launched in December 2018, is now in use at 87% of hospitals across England.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the changes as a step toward bringing the NHS into the digital age, making healthcare as accessible as “online banking or ordering a takeaway.” He added that reducing paper-based communication could help redirect funds to frontline services.
The Chief executive of the Patient’s Association, Rachel Power welcomed the upgrade as a “significant step in modernising how patients receive information.”
However, the British Medical Association (BMA) has previously cautioned that an overreliance on digital platforms could exclude patients who lack access to technology.
This initiative follows earlier announcements by the government to expand booking options through the app. Last month, NHS England revealed plans to offer Amazon-style tracking for prescriptions, allowing patients to check delivery status or collection readiness.
