England’s chief nursing officer on the hunt for NHS App ambassadors

Nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and doctors are being called on to become the face of the NHS App on social media and in their communities.

England’s chief nursing officer (CNO), Ruth May, launched the drive to find ten NHS ambassadors to help advocate the use of the app, which was launched nationwide in January 2019.

Ambassadors for the app will be drawn from a range of different backgrounds, locations and clinical roles, and will play a critical role in promoting the NHS App to patients and the public.

They will encourage uptake of the app across a range of channels, including social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

May, who is the lead ambassador for the NHS App, said: “The best advert for our NHS is our extraordinary staff, who continue to be the envy of the world, and with some of our leading lights soon to be promoting the next generation of healthcare tech across social media, the benefits of the NHS App will be experienced by even more people across England.

“The NHS App is transforming people’s experience of our health service, making it more convenient and available at the touch of a button. As it continues to grow and improve, it will increasingly play a leading role in how we meet the ambitions set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, to help people stay well and manage their long-term conditions, and give new mums and their babies the very best start in life.

“It’s time now to get the word out, and that’s where frontline NHS staff come in – whether it’s acting as social media influencers or using good old-fashioned word of mouth, our search is on for nurses, doctors and other members of staff who are passionate about helping people make the most of this new and exciting advance.”

The free NHS App can be used to make GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, help manage long-term conditions and access NHS 111 online.

Patients can also use the app to set preferences around data-sharing, organ donation and end-of-life care.

May is looking to hear from a diverse range of NHS staff and backgrounds. Staff can apply here.

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