Family access feature launched on NHS App

A new family feature is being piloted by NHS England which means patients can apply to add another profile to their NHS App online, instead of going in person to their GP practice.

This will save time for patients and remove admin for GP practices.

Patients who have signed up through the app, they can easily switch between their own and their relative’s profile – ‘as simple as switching Netflix profiles’ said Dr Vin Diwakar, clinical transformation director at NHS England.

Once set up, parents or carers can access medical information like care plans and manage appointments on behalf of someone else.

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Almost 12,000 people have already applied through pilots in 68 GP practices, with plans to roll the service out more widely from next year.

The service also improves access to the NHS App for people who may not have the correct device, data coverage or digital skills, or face language barriers.

Dr Diwakar added that the new feature is ‘a great example of how we’re transforming healthcare by harnessing digital technology as part of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan, as well as tackling digital exclusion.’

Pharmacy2U introduced a similar ‘family account’ functionality for NHS prescriptions in June this year.

Superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, Phil Day, said: ‘People want the NHS to meet them where they are, which is increasingly online, so it is great to see yet another smart digital feature added to the NHS App that will make life easier for families across the UK.

‘There are currently 5.8 million unpaid carers in the UK, including often overlooked caregivers such as parents of dependent children, and timesaving changes like this will have myriad benefits for millions of people.’

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Digital community connector at Frome Medical Practice in Somerset, Will Palmer, said: ‘Patients are so relieved that they can easily get set up to order repeat prescriptions or see test results for their loved ones in the NHS App.

‘For our practice, it reduces the admin burden and improves efficiency, care coordination and communication, as well as empowering carers – it’s a gamechanger.’

Patient Jessica Land, a mum of two from Somerset, said it was brilliant because she no longer needed to go into the doctors.

The most recent NHS data shows that the NHS App now has 38.5 million registered users, with an average of 56.5 million logins each month.

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And 61.5 million repeat prescriptions have been ordered via the NHS App in the last 12 months – a 46% increase on the previous year (42.2 million).

Anyone who wants to apply to manage health services for others on the NHS App can still do so by going into their GP practice.