The figures shows that 87% of hospitals now offering services through NHS App – up nearly 20% since July and exceeding Government targets.

Since July, the increased use of existing app features have saved almost 5.7 million hours of staff time including 1.26 million clinical hours across care settings – together with the 1.5 million missed appointments avoided, the NHS App has helped save the equivalent of £622m.

In addition, the data reveals that trusts that use the app's key features saw a three-percentage-point increase in the number waiting less than 18 weeks in November 2024. This would equate to up to 211,000 more treatments meeting the 18-week target over the same period if expanded to all hospitals across the country.

With more patients able to access correspondence digitally through the App, almost 12 million fewer paper letters have been sent by hospitals since July, saving £5.2m in postage costs. Forecasts for this year show that use of in-app notifications for planned care will prevent the need for 15.7 million SMS messages, saving the NHS a further £985,000.    

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: ‘We saw during the pandemic how apps can totally transform everyday access to health services. So there's no excuse for the lack of progress in the NHS we've inherited. NHS reform has to come through better use of tech - it's the fuel we need to power change.

‘As we deliver our Plan for Change to end hospital backlogs, I want to see more and more people having the option to use the app, so that everyone benefits from more control and choice over their treatment.'

Measures to expand the use of the app were set out earlier this year in the government's Elective Reform Plan, which set out how patients will be offered a wider choice of providers and an easier, quicker way to book appointments. 

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘By putting the latest technology into the hands of patients so they can access services quicker, we're freeing up more time for doctors and nurses to focus on treating people and getting waiting lists down.

‘This government is doing things differently. Every missed appointment and wasted staff hour saved means another patient getting the care they need as we drive a digital NHS revolution through our Plan for Change.'

Reaction

Rory Deighton, acute director at the NHS Confederation, said: 'The NHS App offers the potential to increase patient access, integration, and efficiency across the health service. It can help to reduce duplication and save the time of staff on admin tasks and things like repeat prescriptions.

'This is why it is so important that funding in the App, as well as the wider digital transformation agenda, continues long term.'

Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said: ‘Any innovations that give patients more control over their care, reduce the risk of missed appointments and free up valuable staff time so that they can focus on patients are a step in the right direction.

‘While it's really positive that even more hospitals are now offering services through the NHS App, trust leaders know that not everyone has access to or feels comfortable using technology. That's why it's welcome that alongside paper letters and phone calls, the NHS is offering more support to help elderly and more vulnerable patients access online health services including via the NHS App.'

Planned NHS App upgrades are set to include the ability for patients to choose from a wide range of providers through the app; book tests at convenient locations, such as their local community diagnostic centre; and receive test results quickly through the app before choosing the next step.

Dr John Dean, clinical vice-president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: ‘A focus on incrementally building functionality in the NHS App to support patients to manage their own healthcare will lead to better more connected digital systems that work better for staff and patients, freeing up time and increasing productivity.

‘We are keen to work closely with NHS England and the government to ensure that the NHS App is rolled out and improved in ways that most benefit patients and clinicians. It is also vital that we ensure sufficient mitigations are put in place so that those without access to the app are not excluded from accessing the same quality of patient care.'

Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: ‘While this digital progress is vital and the 20% increase in hospital participation is welcome, we must also ensure no one is left behind.

‘Digital access remains a barrier for many, so we welcome the initiative providing support for online health services at 1,400 libraries across England. This kind of practical support needs to remain a key priority as services continue to modernise.'