Results from a new report from the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London and NHS England (London) Digital First team show that three quarters of Londoners have utilized online consultation forms, the NHS App, and GP surgery websites to access primary care services.
The report, based on contributions from over 3,000 London patients through surveys and focus groups, underscores the benefits of digital tools in enabling greater independence in managing healthcare. However, it also highlights variations in accessibility and availability, with some patients facing challenges in booking routine appointments and accessing medical records online.
Key digital tools such as the NHS App, online consultation forms, and GP surgery websites are widely used, but improvements are recommended to enhance communication with patients, drive higher standards of usability and accessibility, and take a user-centered approach to service design and delivery. The report also underscores the importance of addressing digital exclusion and ensuring support for primary care teams to provide a full range of digital and non-digital options for managing health.
