NHS App hits 16 million users; most downloaded free app in England

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid announced that more than 16 million people have now downloaded the NHS App, with over 12 million new users since the NHS Covid Pass - the Covid-19 vaccination status service - was added on 17 May.

The increase in app downloads could 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.

"This is tech saving lives," said Matthew Gould, Chief Executive of NHSx. "By making it easier for people to set their preferences for organ donation, we have thousands more people whose organs might now be used to save others. We will be developing the NHS App so people can use it to drive their own care, set their own preferences, and stay healthy."

Registering a preference on organ donation helps NHS specialist nurses to quickly understand people’s wishes, which can ultimately save lives.

NHS App users are also 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.

With the demand for digital healthcare services greater than ever, the NHS App provides quick and secure access to a variety of digital health functions and care websites.

"Millions of people downloaded the NHS App over the summer to access their NHS Covid Pass and have been finding out what other services the app has to offer, from booking GP appointments to ordering repeat prescriptions," noted Simon Bolton, Interim Chief Executive at NHS Digital.

The NHS login service - which supports the NHS App - has most of its users based in London, with more than 20% of Londoners logging onto the service last month, and 40-49 year olds the main users.

Other services available through NHS login include e-Referral services, COVID-19 support and advice, maternity and child health services, online pharmacies, and services to monitor and improve health and wellbeing.