Over 16 Million Repeat Prescriptions Ordered Via NHS App In A Year

The way we order our repeat medications is changing, throughout the pandemic the use of the NHS app increased, and this shows that last year (June 2021 - May 2022), NHS Digital figures shows that the app was used for over 16 million repeat prescriptions, 3 million GP appointments booked, and 90 million GP records viewed.

This followed a 22 million sign-ups for the NHS App (following the addition of the NHS Covid pass in May 2021). It also registered 277,000 organ donation decisions too.

There is now 28 million app sign-ups, and more than 24 million have fully verified their identity through NHS login. It has assisted in taking some of the pressures off doctor's surgeries, however their target is to have 75% of the adult population registered for use by March 2024.

Simon Bolton, Interim Chief Executive at NHS Digital, said: “The NHS App is a great example of how technology is being used to help patients take control of their healthcare in a convenient, secure and timely way. Millions of adults are now using the app every month to order repeat prescriptions, book GP appointments and view their GP records. It's great to see use of the app continuing to increase, helping millions of people access healthcare services across England directly from their phone."

Dr Timothy Ferris, NHS Director of Transformation, said: “The NHS App is already in the pockets of millions of people, providing easy access to crucial everyday NHS services like repeat prescriptions. Our vision is to transform the NHS App into a front door for the NHS, with many exciting new features and changes planned over the coming months and years from better access to your GP record, to booking your Covid vaccine appointments.”

The NHS App is available to anyone aged 13 or over and registered with a GP practice in England and the Isle Of Man. The app was the most downloaded free iPhone app in England in 2021 and continues to be useful for many medical reasons.