Tap the App - Region's NHS urges thousands to download the NHS App and turn on notifications
THOUSANDS of people are being urged to download the NHS App to make sure they don't miss important messages about their care.
The NHS, across the North East and North Cumbria, has launched a new Tap the App campaign with a simple message: download the App, switch on notifications and check your messages when they arrive.
Around seven in ten people across much of the region have already downloaded the NHS App, but uptake is much lower in some areas, where only around four in ten people are using the App with notifications switched on.
The NHS App gives people a quick and secure way to manage their healthcare from their smartphone or tablet.
People can use the App to order repeat prescriptions, view health records and test results, manage appointments and referrals, and receive messages from their GP practice, hospital and other NHS services. Some services depend on what is available locally.
Dr Neil O'Brien, chief medical officer, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and practising GP, said: “We all lead busy lives, so anything that makes managing our healthcare a little easier can help.
“Downloading the NHS App and turning on notifications means you'll know when there's a new message about your care. It could be an appointment update, a test result or something your NHS team needs you to do.
“It takes seconds to check your notifications are on – and it could mean you don't miss something important.”
Messages sent through the NHS App can include appointment updates, test results or information about care.
Rebecca McIntosh, head of digital transformation, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), added: “The NHS App puts more of your healthcare at your fingertips.
“If you haven't downloaded it yet, we'd encourage you to give it a try. And if you already have it, take a minute to check your notifications are switched on.
“That way, when your GP practice or hospital sends you a message, you'll know it's there and can check it straight away.”
The Tap the App campaign is asking people across the North East and North Cumbria to:
Download it. Switch on notifications. Check your messages.
The NHS App is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. NHS App services can also be accessed online through the NHS website.
For more information and help using the NHS App, visit www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/login.
