Libraries Team Up with NHS to Boost App Access Nationwide

In a significant move to enhance access to online health services, the NHS has announced a new collaboration with libraries across England to help more people use the NHS App and NHS.UK. This partnership, in conjunction with The National Health Literacy Partnership, will officially launch in October 2024, marking a major step in making digital healthcare more accessible to all.

Libraries to Play Key Role in Digital Health

Public and NHS libraries across the country are set to receive toolkits and information from NHS England in the coming weeks, enabling them to assist users in navigating the NHS App. This development builds on the vital role libraries already play in helping communities access online services. According to a recent Ipsos survey, librarians are the third most trusted profession in Britain, underscoring the importance of this new role.

John Quinn, Chief Information Officer at NHS England and a former librarian, highlighted the critical position of libraries within communities. “Public libraries are at the heart of our communities and offer a significant opportunity to reach those who face barriers when it comes to accessing their health information online,” John stated. He emphasised that the NHS App, with its 34 million registered users, is a crucial tool in ensuring that no one is excluded from accessing healthcare services.

Boosting Health Literacy Through Libraries

The partnership with libraries is not a new endeavour for the NHS. Louise Goswami, Chief Knowledge Officer for NHS England, expressed excitement over the development, which builds on existing work with the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and public library colleagues. “Through these pilots, we learned that people were happy to be shown how to use NHS.uk by public library staff, so this phased rollout through public libraries will help even more people to access and make the most of their health information online,” Louise explained.

In several libraries across England, work is already underway to support people in using the NHS App. Marta Fischer, Digital Access Lead for Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West ICB, is one such pioneer. Marta runs digital cafes in local libraries to help people, particularly older adults, get started with the app. She shared, “People find it really easy to use once I talk them through it. They find being able to see test results and their records online helpful.”

Pensioners Lead the Way in NHS App Usage

New data reveals that pensioners are among the most active users of the NHS App. Over five million pensioners have registered, and nearly half of them used the app between March and May 2024. In comparison, only about one in four users in their 20s and one in three in their 30s have used the app within the same period.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock commented on the app’s critical role in improving the NHS: “The NHS App has a vital role to play in getting our health service back on its feet – and this scheme will help boost access across the country.”

The NHS App, launched in December 2018, continues to expand its features, providing users with the ability to manage their health from the comfort of their homes. Recent updates include the ability for patients to view and manage hospital appointments and receive notifications from GP practices directly through the app. Over 11.6 million repeat prescriptions were ordered via the NHS App between March and May 2024, with 3.1 million of those orders placed by pensioners.

For those interested in registering, more details can be found on the NHS App page.

This partnership marks a crucial step in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their digital literacy level, can access the vital health services they need.