Almost 28 million people in England have registered with NHS login, and more than 16 million have signed up for the NHS App, with the demand for digital healthcare services greater than ever during the coronavirus pandemic.
Around half of people in England now have access to digital healthcare
Almost 28 million people in England have registered with NHS login, and more than 16 million have signed up for the NHS App, with the demand for digital healthcare services greater than ever during the coronavirus pandemic.
- NHS login has almost 28 million users - up from around 2.2 million users in September 2020
- Londoners were the biggest users of NHS login in August - with 20.3% of users based in London
- 20-29 year olds were the biggest users of NHS login by age in August, followed by 30-39 and 40-49
- The NHS App (which is supported by NHS login) has now recorded over 16 million registrations, and is the most downloaded free app in England
- Over 12 million new NHS App users since NHS COVID Pass added on 17 May
- Over the past four months (May to August)153,557 people registered their organ donation preferences; 3,160,253 repeat prescriptions were ordered, and 268,063 GP appointments were booked via the NHS App.
Around half of adults in England now have access to digital healthcare, according to the latest statistics from NHS Digital.
NHS login, the service which supports the NHS App, now has almost 28 million users - this is up from around 2.2 million in September 2020.
The online service, which is managed by NHS Digital, provides people with a quick and secure single point of access to a variety of digital health and care websites and apps using just one email address and password.
A total of 45 apps and e-health services are available through NHS login, including e-Referral services, Covid-19 support and advice, maternity and child health services, online pharmacies, and services to monitor and improve health and wellbeing.
A peak in the number of people setting up an NHS login took place in May, which coincided with the launch of the NHS COVID Pass. On 17 May alone, when the NHS COVID Pass launched, around 245,000 people created an NHS login account.
The highest proportion of NHS login users are based in London - one in five Londoners logged onto the service in August to access digital healthcare services, and it proved most popular with those aged between 30-39 in London, and 20-29 overall.
Of the almost 28 million people currently using NHS login, 57% are fully verified. People are encouraged to complete identity verification to have complete access to the full range of services available via NHS login, including the NHS App and COVID Pass.
Melissa Ruscoe, Programme Head at NHS Digital, yesterday said:
We are pleased to see such a massive uptake in people managing their healthcare needs digitally throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with around half of people in England now able to access digital healthcare services through NHS login.
Through the services integrated with NHS login people can book GP appointments, order lateral flow tests, register their organ donation preferences, and much more.
This helps free up valuable time for GP practice staff and provides a simple and efficient way for people to take control of their healthcare and access services easily and securely.
The first app to go live with NHS login - the NHS App - has now reached over 16 million users, currently making it England's most popular free app. The NHS App was downloaded by more than 12 million people following the addition of the NHS COVID Pass on 17 May.
NHS App users are benefiting from easier access to NHS services. During the past four months, almost 3.2 million repeat prescriptions were ordered and over 268,000 GP appointments booked via the app, saving valuable time for patients and clinicians.
The increase in app downloads could also have a life-saving impact as 1.5 million people have now used the NHS app to manage their organ donation decision, with 265,000 of these registering their organ donation for the first time via the app. Over 150,000 of these new registrations have taken place in just four months since May 2021.
NHS login follows the UK government's data storage standards to keep information private and secure. For more information, visit the NHS login privacy policy.
Notes for Editors
- Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. It is available to all patients aged 13 and over who are registered with a GP practice in England. For more information and to download the app visit nhs.uk/app.
- The NHS App now has recorded over 16 million sign-ups, 14m of which are fully verified through NHS login, enabling them to access a wide range of personalised services from booking appointments to viewing GP and hospital records (where available).
- Please note this is a separate app from the NHS Covid-19 app which notifies its users if they have come into close contact with someone with coronavirus symptoms. For more information on this contact-tracing app visit covid19.nhs.uk.