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This week, the NHS rolled out new digital updates for patients’ prescriptions across England. Millions of people will now be able to receive an alert when their prescription is ready for collection on their smartwatch or mobile.
Patients across nearly 2,500 chemists, including every ASDA and Boots pharmacy store, can now receive these updates in the NHS App instead of having to phone pharmacies.
The new app features come after the success of the prescription tracking feature in NHS App, which has been used by nearly 2.9 million people since it launched last year across over 3,200 pharmacies. App users need to enable push notifications in the NHS App to receive alerts.
Rob Thompson, Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer at NHS England, said the new alerts will help people “[avoid] the need to regularly check the app or make unnecessary trips or calls to their pharmacy…[the alerts] are the latest step in the NHS giving people more control over how they manage their healthcare as well as helping to reduce admin for staff.”
The initial app tracking feature has been used 9 million times since its launch last year, saving time on prescription queries for staff and patients.
Incorporating new technology into patient care with the NHS App
The move is part of NHS’ 10 Year Health Plan for England, which aims to make the most of the opportunities brought about by new technologies. James Frith, Health Innovation Minister, said: “This is a practical example of how digital technology can make a difference to people’s everyday experience of the NHS, while also helping to reduce unnecessary calls and free up valuable time for pharmacy staff to focus on supporting patients.”
The NHS App has over 39 million registered users who can use the app to manage hospital appointments, check their GP Health record and order repeat prescriptions. Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, said of the new updates, “It’s something many people have been asking for, and alongside other non-digital ways of accessing information and support, can help make it easier for patients to get the information they need in a way that works for them.”
