Millions Saved by NHS App Messaging System
In a significant financial boon for the NHS, the adoption of messaging via the NHS App has resulted in savings amounting to £1.1 million, a stark comparison to the costs associated with traditional methods like text messages and postal communication.
Throughout the fiscal year 2023/24, a staggering 22.5 million messages traversed through the NHS App, a volume that previously would have been dispatched through conventional means such as text messages or letters.
The mechanism is elegantly simple: individuals who opt-in for notifications on the NHS App have their messages automatically channeled through the application. Not only does this obviate the need for costly text messaging, but it also fortifies security measures by consolidating all patient NHS correspondence within a single, secure platform.
The array of messaging services accessible within the NHS App hinges upon the patient’s GP surgery or healthcare provider. However, a multitude of users can now avail themselves of services such as perusing messages from NHS healthcare services, reviewing responses from GP practices, including inquiries about test results, and engaging with messages directed towards their healthcare providers, be it specialist doctors or hospital departments.
Dr. Vin Diwakar, National Transformation Director at NHS England, lauded the substantial savings incurred, emphasizing the potential for further cost reduction as the app evolves to encompass additional features. “By fostering greater adoption of the NHS App, with notifications enabled, we stand to significantly mitigate the estimated £450 million annual expenditure on patient communication,” Dr. Diwakar noted.
The utilization of the NHS App is on a steady incline. Currently boasting over 34 million registered users, approximately three-quarters of England’s adult population are onboard. The statistics paint a picture of burgeoning engagement, with an average of nearly 1.2 million logins per weekday recorded since the inception of this year.
Monthly logins have surged by an impressive 69% over the past year, soaring from 18.7 million in March 2023 to 31.5 million in March 2024. Health Minister Andrew Stephenson underscored the manifold benefits of this upward trajectory, emphasizing how increased usage facilitates seamless access to vital health services such as prescription renewals and appointment scheduling, thereby alleviating strain on NHS resources.
“Investment to the tune of £3.4 billion earmarked for technology upgrades within the NHS underscores our commitment to streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency,” stated Health Minister Andrew Stephenson. “Our overarching objective is to foster a healthcare landscape characterized by expediency, simplicity, and equity, allowing healthcare practitioners to devote more time to patient care and less to administrative tasks.”
- : public
