Barry Cassels
Head of Product for the NHS App, NHS Digital
More than half of the adults in England now have access to digital healthcare, according to NHS Digital.
Digital healthcare has been a lifeline for many over the past two years as the pandemic has provided a catalyst for change within the NHS when it comes to the integration of digital healthcare.
The NHS login service, which is managed by NHS Digital, provides people with a quick and secure single point of access to a variety of digital healthcare websites and apps using just one email address and password. It now has more than 28 million registered users, up from 2.2 million in September 2020.
A total of 52 apps and e-health services are available through NHS login, including e-Referral services, COVID-19 support and advice, maternity and child health services, online pharmacies, and services to monitor and improve health and wellbeing.
The increase in app downloads could also have a life-saving impact as 1.5 million people have now used the app to manage their organ donation decision.
An efficient way to access healthcare needs
A peak in the number of people setting up an NHS login took place in May 2021, which coincided with the launch of the NHS COVID Pass. On 17 May alone, when the NHS COVID Pass launched, around 245,000 people created an NHS login account.
There has been a massive uptake in people managing their healthcare needs digitally throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with around half of people in England now able to access digital healthcare services through NHS login. Through the services integrated with NHS login people can book GP appointments, order lateral flow tests, register their organ donation preferences and much more. This helps free up valuable time for GP practice staff and provides a simple and efficient way for people to take control of their healthcare and access services easily and securely.
The NHS App offers benefits for all
Alongside NHS login, users are benefiting from easier access to NHS services through the NHS App. During the past four months, almost 3.2 million repeat prescriptions were ordered and over 268,000 GP appointments were booked via the NHS App, saving valuable time for patients and clinicians.
The increase in app downloads could also have a life-saving impact as 1.5 million people have now used the app to manage their organ donation decision, with 265,000 of these registering their organ donation for the first time via the app. Over 150,000 of those new registrations took place in just four months last year.
NHS login follows the UK Government’s data storage standards to keep information private and secure.
For more information, visit the NHS login privacy policy.
