The number of care providers using NHSmail has more than doubled in the last six weeks to help support staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.
NHSmail gives staff in care homes and domiciliary care the ability to safely share residents’ data and queries with doctors, nurses and GPs involved in their resident’s direct care, and get timely responses.
It also connects them to pharmacists, dentists and anyone else in health and care who also has secure email.
The number of care providers using the service has risen from 4,141 providers to 10,186 in the last six weeks.
NHSmail can be accessed from mobile devices as well as desktops and includes a full directory of all users, as well as collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams.
NHS Digital’s social care programme formed a partnership with the Care Provider Alliance to work nationally with all care providers to help them embrace the digital agenda.
Chris Parsons, NHSmail product owner at NHS Digital, said: “I am so pleased that more than one in three social care providers in England are now taking advantage of the benefits that NHSmail offers.
“These care providers are now able to discuss their residents’ prescriptions with pharmacists, communicate securely with doctors to get a quick medical opinion and much more.
“This ability to communicate quickly, securely and effectively with colleagues across the sector means real benefits to staff and better care for the people they support.
“The progress we have made on this journey has been fantastic so far and we look forward to welcoming even more care providers to NHSmail.”