Around half of adults in England have access to digital healthcare via the NHS login, according to the latest statistics from NHS Digital.

NHS login, the service which supports the NHS App, now has almost 28 million users – a rise from around 2.2 million in September 2020.

The online service, managed by NHS Digital, provides people with a single point of access to digital health and care websites and apps.

A peak in the number of people setting up an NHS login took place in May with the launch of the NHS COVID Pass, which is used to prove whether a citizen has been vaccinated or had a negative test result. On 17 May when the NHS COVID Pass launched, around 245,000 people created an 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 30-39 in London, and 20-29 overall.

WHY IT MATTERS

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.

During the past four months, almost 3.2 million repeat prescriptions were ordered and over 268,000 GP appointments booked via the NHS 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. More than 150,000 of these new registrations have taken place in since May 2021.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

A recent European Commission report confirmed that more than 591 million EU Digital COVID Certificates (EUDCC) have now been generated.

ON THE RECORD

Melissa Ruscoe, citizen identity (NHS login) programme head at NHS Digital, 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.”    

Emma McLachlan, director of digital experience at NHSX, said: "In the past 18 months the NHS has made huge progress in offering access to care online. Through NHS login, we can give the public direct access to choices, information and services, and help them stay healthy.”