The NHS App has been reformed, meaning that patients will be able to benefit from greater choice and flexibility when booking appointments. Latest data shows that 1.5 million appointments have been saved due to the app’s accelerated roll-out, allowing patients to access treatment on their schedules.
In the app, users can manage appointments, view prescriptions, access their GP health record, and receive notifications, which both reduces the pressure on in-person healthcare services as well as providing ease of access to important information and sites.
The government has exceeded its first target to increase the number of hospitals allowing patients to view appointment information using the app up to 85 per cent by the end of March. Up from 68 per cent in July 2024, 87 per cent of hospitals were on board in March 2025.
Since July, the increased use of existing app features saved almost 5.7 million hours of staff time, 1.26 million of which being clinical hours across care settings. Alongside the saved 1.5 million missed appointments avoided, the NHS app has helped save the equivalent of £622 million.
The app has removed an administrative burden from staff too, such as managing appointments, completing questionnaires, and ordered repeat prescriptions.
Trusts who used the app’s key features saw a three-percentage point increase in the amount of people waiting less than 18 weeks in November 2024. Should it be extended to all hospitals across the country, this number could extend to 211,000 more treatments meeting the 18-week target.
Prime minister Keir Starmer said: “Our NHS has been stuck in the dark ages — held back by old fashioned systems where patients are struggling for appointments and unable to access their own data.
“We saw during the pandemic how apps can totally transform everyday access to health services. So there’s no excuse for the lack of progress in the NHS we’ve inherited.
“NHS reform has to come through better use of tech — it’s the fuel we need to power change.
“As we deliver our Plan for change to end hospital backlogs, I want to see more and more people having the option to use the app, so that everyone benefits from more control and choice over their treatment.”
The app has also facilitated a reduction in paper correspondence, with almost 12 million fewer paper letters sent by hospitals since July. This has saved £5.2 million in postage costs. Forecasts for this year show the use of in-app notifications for planned care will prevent the need for 15.7 million SMS messages — saving the NHS a further £985,000.
