NHS Helps Shave Waiting List, Reduces Missed Appointments by 1.5 Million
The NHS App expansion has significantly improved healthcare efficiency, reducing missed hospital appointments by 1.5 million and shortening waiting times.
According to the government, 87% of hospitals now offer services through the app.
As part of the government’s Plan for Change to address hospital backlogs, the app enables users to manage appointments, view prescriptions, access GP health records, and receive notifications—alleviating pressure on NHS services and generating an estimated £622 million in savings.
Since July 2024, automation through the app has saved 5.7 million staff hours, including 1.26 million clinical hours, by streamlining appointment management and repeat prescriptions.
Hospitals using its features have seen a 3% increase in patients receiving elective care within 18 weeks, which could translate to 211,000 additional treatments nationwide.
Digitisation has also cut administrative costs, with £5.2 million saved in postage by replacing 12 million paper letters and £985,000 projected savings from replacing 15.7 million SMS messages with in-app notifications.
By March 2025, the government exceeded its goal of 85% hospital adoption, reaching 87% from 68% in July 2024.
Planned enhancements will allow patients to select providers, book tests at community diagnostic centres, and receive results directly within the app.
To support accessibility, the NHS is offering assistance for online health services at 1,400 libraries across England, focusing on elderly and vulnerable patients.
Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, praised the initiative, emphasizing the need to assist those less familiar with technology. Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, highlighted the ongoing challenge of digital access and the importance of sustained support.
This expansion aligns with broader NHS digitisation efforts, including a £600 million collaboration with the Wellcome Trust to develop a health data research service.
