And we’re live! Digital prescriptions have launched in the NHS App
For the first time, millions of people across the country are able to view their prescriptions in the NHS App.
Originally launched in January 2019, progress on the NHS App has come on leaps and bounds. On Wednesday, 31st January, NHS England announced that following a successful trial last year involving over a million users, patients can now use the app to see when their prescriptions have been issued and view their prescribed medication.
In addition, patients waiting for an elective hospital treatment will also now be able to see the average waiting time for their procedure at their local trust, and users without a nominated pharmacy will be able to use a barcode in the app to collect their prescription instead of relying on a paper copy.
One of the reasons for the app upgrade, is NHS staff are hoping it will help free up time on the frontline.
Currently, patients can use the software to request repeat prescriptions digitally and, according to new research, the number of repeat prescriptions ordered through the app has grown by 45% over the past year, with an average of 3.1 million now requested every month.
As a result, each repeat prescription ordered electronically saves GP practices three minutes of time, with those ordered using the app expected to save the equivalent of 1.85 million hours in 2024.
‘The NHS App is transforming the way people manage their healthcare, freeing up valuable time for healthcare professionals,’ Vin Diwakar, national director for transformation at NHS England said. ‘Giving all patients in England direct access to prescription information through the app means they’ll know when their prescription is issued and avoid delays in collection.’
Diwakar added: ‘The new feature will also mean people who haven’t set a nominated pharmacy will be able to present the barcode in the app to a pharmacy of their choice without needing a paper version.
‘The prescription service is the latest in a number of services we’re adding to the NHS App to provide better care for patients. I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t used the NHS App for a while, or who has never downloaded it, to tap the app and see what it has to offer.’
Against this backdrop, health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins, claimed that the new features on the NHS App will make ‘care easier for everyone.’
She said: ‘I’m determined to make our health care system faster, simpler and fairer for patients – and the NHS App is all about making access to care easier for everyone.
‘[The] update will mean ordering and collecting your prescriptions can be done with a few taps of your fingers. This will not only benefit anyone getting a prescription, it will also ease pressures on our hardworking pharmacists and GPs – freeing up valuable time for patients and helping to cut waiting lists.’
Image: Annie Spratt
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