Almost 28 million people – around half of the English population – have now registered with NHS login which aims to open up digital access to health and care services.
The online service is managed by NHS Digital and gives registered users a secure single point of access to 45 apps and e-health services. Using just one email address and password, users can access services such as e-Referral, online pharmacies, Covid-19 support and advice, maternity and child health services plus services to monitor and improve health and wellbeing.
NHS login supports the NHS App, which is the most downloaded free app in England. It was the first app to go live within the NHS login and now has over 16million users. Through the NHS App users are able to order repeat prescriptions, book GP appointments and register their organ donation decision.
The NHS login service’s popularity grew during the Covid pandemic, as people moved to access digital content to self-manage their health needs. This was particularly noted when the Covid Pass was launched.
On 17 May the NHS Covid Pass was launched within the NHS App which coincided with around 245,000 people creating an account with NHS login.
By mid-June the NHS App already had 6million users, with a third of them using the App since the addition of the Covid Pass. Since then the number of people downloading the app since the Covid Pass was added rose to 12 million.
Melissa Ruscoe, citizen identify (NHS login) programme head at NHS Digital, said: “We are pleased to see a massive uptake in people managing their healthcare needs digitally throughout the coronavirus pandemic.”
She continued: “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, added: “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.”