The Digital Coalition report highlights limitations of the NHS App
A recent report from the Digital Coalition reveals that while the NHS App is valued by patients in England, some users find its information access capabilities to be lacking. The report, based on a survey conducted by The Patient Coalition for AI, Data and Digital Tech in Health, involved over 600 respondents from across England.
According to the report, 78% of respondents use the NHS App, with 81% finding it easy to use and 70% considering it a valuable tool. However, 39% expressed the desire to access test results through the app, and 36% wanted to access personal health records, which is currently not possible.
Even though NHS England aims to make these features available to all users, some GP practices have restricted access to certain information. Additionally, technical issues have deterred 23% of respondents from using the app, with more than a third of them preferring human interaction over technology.
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, stated that changes have been made to the app based on the survey results, but further improvements are necessary to address user concerns.
New features recently introduced by NHS England include estimated waiting times for treatments and prescription details, with the latter being popular among users. The Digital Coalition recommends raising awareness about the app, enhancing accessibility, ensuring data security, and providing clear instructions for use.
Dr. Vin Diwakar, interim national director for transformation at NHS England, expressed optimism about the app’s value in managing care and highlighted the importance of addressing user concerns for future improvements.
