Nelson Advisors interviewed by Digital Health for their 'NHS App to unleash its full potential' story

Nelson Advisors
Sep 3
3 min read

Nelson Advisors partner Lloyd Price interviewed by Digital Health for their 'NHS App to unleash its full potential' story.

https://www.digitalhealth.net/2024/09/call-for-nhs-app-to-reach-its-potential-following-lord-darzi-critique/

Healthcare leaders have urged NHS England to unleash the full potential of the NHS App, following critique from Lord Ara Darzi.

Lord Darzi’s independent investigation into the state of the NHS in England, published on 12 September 2024, said that the app is “not delivering a ‘digital-first’ experience similar to that found in many aspects of daily life, although there is huge potential”.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic leading to a rapid increase in registrations and nearly 80% of adults are now registered, Lord Darzi highlights that less than 20% of patients use the app monthly.

He adds that although there has been “growth in ordering repeat prescriptions and managing hospital appointments”, only 1% of GP appointments are managed via the app.

“With the huge success in registrations, an important opportunity is being missed to improve both efficiency and patient experience,” Lord Darzi writes.

Responding to Lord Darzi’s comments, Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at NHS Confederation, said: “The task is to continuously develop the app so that patients can really have their health in their own hands, which will have significant patient and efficiency benefits.

“This includes possible integration with other smartphone apps and wearable technology, improving and supporting mental wellbeing with access to digital talking therapies, strengthening two-way communication between patients and the NHS.”

Dr McCay emphasised the importance of communicating the benefits of the app across all communities to increase its “usability and success”, adding that it could be used to help children access services and “get the care and support they need – particularly dental and mental health care”.

Lloyd Price, partner at Nelson Advisors and health tech founder, said that the NHS App needs a “killer feature” to increase its usage and “unlock further organic and viral growth”.

He added that the main functions of the NHS App to book GP appointments and order repeat prescriptions can be done through other apps such as Patient Access from EMIS, MyGP from iPlato and AirMid from TPP.

Price called for the app to include “a unique and proprietary function not available on other platforms, for example waiting list validation management for outpatient appointments or average waiting times at my local A&E department”.

Joe Harrison, chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who oversaw development of the NHS App, told Digital Health News that he is pleased that Lord Darzi has highlighted its potential.

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