NHS urges Brits to switch on app feature now after 16,000,000 patients miss out on care
NHS Urges Brits to Switch On App Feature Now After 16 Million Patients Miss Out on Care
New NHS data reveals that 16 million general practitioner (GP) appointments were missed in 2025, with 4.3% of these classified as no-shows. This represents a significant loss of healthcare access, equivalent to an entire day of unattended visits at every GP practice in England each month.
Despite an 8.4 million increase in scheduled appointments, which marks a 2.3% rise from the prior year and pushes the total to 376 million, the service still faces challenges. A nationwide survey found that nearly one in four individuals missed a medical appointment due to forgetfulness or arriving too late.
To address this issue, the NHS has launched a campaign encouraging users to activate notifications on the NHS App. Advertisements for the feature are now appearing on pharmacy bags, radio channels, and social media platforms. The app not only reminds patients of their appointments but also enables them to cancel, reschedule, or request repeat prescriptions.
As part of the initiative, an ‘Amazon-style’ prescription system was introduced in partnership with 2,000 pharmacies across England. This innovation allows users to track their orders and receive updates on collection times. The NHS is also emphasizing the importance of digital tools to reduce delays and improve efficiency.
‘In the fast-paced lives we all lead, it’s easy to overlook NHS appointments or need to adjust them at short notice,’ said Health Innovation Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed. ‘That’s why I encourage everyone to use the NHS App and enable notifications – ensuring you stay updated and can reschedule if needed. This helps free up slots for others, supporting efforts to shorten waiting times.’
‘It’s impressive that GPs offered over 8 million additional appointments in 2025, and I hope this campaign will further boost that number in 2026,’ added Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England. ‘NHS App users should take advantage of its tools to avoid missing out on essential care.’
Recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that more adults now prefer online communication with their GP practices. Over 75.2% of adults reported finding it easy to contact their GP, up from 71.6% the previous year. With more than 40 million users registered on the NHS App, the push for digital adoption continues.
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