The new NHS App: What pharmacy teams need to be aware of

As the level of digital integration between different health service providers and their patients increases, it's important for our pharmacy teams to be aware of what is available and how it works. One new innovation is the NHS App, which should be encouraged to be adopted by as many people as possible. Use of the App has many benefits to both HCPs and individual people.

Uses of the App will include:

• check your symptoms
• find out what to do when you need help urgently
• book and manage appointments at your GP surgery
• order repeat prescriptions
• securely view your GP medical record
• register to be an organ donor
• choose how the NHS uses your data

The potential of the app is huge and NHS England will be listening to user and GP feedback as they add additional tools and services and more GPs come on board. Most practices will go live between April and June 2019, with the NHS App expected to be fully rolled out to practices and patients by 1 July 2019. You can check out the up to date list of connected GP surgeries using the NHS App link provided below.

Further information can be seen on the following NHS website page:

• https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/

Additional help and advice on downloading or using the App can be found:

• https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/help-and-support/