NHS App

The NHS App works alongside the NHS website. Patients use NHS login to securely verify their identity and access health information.

Current features include:

• viewing EPS information in the NHS App
• ordering repeat prescriptions – seeing available medicines, requesting repeats, and choosing a pharmacy for dispensing
• booking, viewing and cancelling GP appointments
• finding trusted NHS health advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments, including symptom checking and guidance on local services
• viewing parts of the GP health record, such as allergies and current and past medicines (subject to GP practice settings)
• registering an organ donation decision and setting donation preferences
• understanding how the NHS uses health data, including choosing whether records can be shared for research and planning
• viewing the NHS number

Additional services are available where a patient’s GP practice or hospital supports the NHS account service:

• messaging a GP practice or health professional online
• submitting online consultation forms and receiving replies
• accessing health services on behalf of someone they care for
• viewing hospital and other healthcare appointments
• accessing useful links shared by a clinician
• viewing and managing care plans

NHS App Roadmap provides an overview of the NHS App’s development, showing recent releases, current work, and planned improvements.

Since 2023, patients have been able to view details of their EPS prescriptions in the NHS App. The same information is also available through their NHS account on the NHS website, using a desktop, laptop or mobile device.

The NHS App shows:

• items prescribed
• whether the prescription is repeat or one‑off
• the prescriber

Original piloting

NHS England piloted this feature with four GP practices in a West Yorkshire primary care network, working closely with nearby pharmacies and the Local Pharmaceutical Committee. The pilot began in late October 2023 and produced positive results, supporting national rollout.

National rollout

The functionality continues to rolled out to more pharmacies.

Patients registered with pilot and early adopter GP practices may see EPS prescription information in the NHS App before rollout is complete. Most of these prescriptions will be dispensed by local pharmacies, though some patients may use pharmacies elsewhere in England.

The NHS App does not send push notifications for EPS prescriptions, so many patients may not immediately notice this feature.

Displaying EPS barcode numbers in the NHS App may support pharmacy teams in outlier situations, such as Phase four prescriptions or prescriptions returned to the Spine by another pharmacy.

Further details

Q: What EPS prescription information is visible in the NHS App?
EPS prescription information becomes visible after the prescriber electronically signs the prescription and it is uploaded to the Spine. Patients can view:

• the prescribed items (name, form and quantity);
• the prescriber;
• the nominated pharmacy, dispensing doctor or dispensing appliance contractor; and
• the prescription barcode and prescription ID number.

Patients will not see prescription information if the prescription: • was not prescribed using EPS;

• is an Electronic Repeat Dispensing prescription;
•  is post‑dated (until the effective date);
• has been cancelled;
• is beyond the 180‑day EPS limit; or
• has moved into an archived state (36 days after submission for pricing).

Once available, the information appears in the “View and manage prescriptions” section of the NHS App.

Q. What does this mean for my pharmacy?
Pharmacy teams near first rollout areas are more likely to encounter patients who can view EPS details. Many patients may be unaware of the feature initially.

As rollout progresses, digital EPS barcodes may support pharmacy teams in outlier scenarios, such as Phase four non‑nominated prescriptions or prescriptions returned to the Spine because of stock issues. Teams can scan the digital barcode or use the prescription ID to retrieve the prescription via their IT system supplier, reducing reliance on the EPS Tracker.

This development responds directly to pharmacy team feedback requesting alternatives to paper EPS tokens.

Q. What does this mean for patients?
NHS England user research found that access to prescription information: • reassures patients that a prescription has been issued;
• helps patients manage medicine‑related queries earlier; and
• improves understanding of the prescription journey.

For non‑nominated prescriptions, digital barcodes can reduce delays and remove the risk of losing prescription IDs.

Q. Will patients receive NHS App notifications about EPS prescriptions?
No. Patients will not receive notifications. If they view prescription details, a message reminds them that pharmacy teams need time to process prescriptions before collection.

Q. What is the patient communications plan?
Patient‑facing materials refer to this feature as a “digital prescription”, as research showed the term “token” was confusing. Practices and nearby pharmacies involved in early rollout will have access to promotional materials.

Q. How should pharmacy teams handle scanning Phase four barcodes on patient phones?
Always ask permission before handling a patient’s device. Some patients may prefer their phone to remain in sight while the barcode is scanned.

Q. Could EPS prescription information appear in other apps?
At present, digital EPS prescriptions only appear in the NHS App. Over time, NHS England expects other apps aligned to NHS IT standards to support similar functionality.

Q. Will multiple prescription items appear together?
EPS prescriptions include up to four items. Patients will see one digital prescription per EPS message. For example, five items will appear as two digital prescriptions.

Q. Are Electronic Repeat Dispensing prescriptions visible?
No.

Q. Can patients nominate a distance selling pharmacy directly in the NHS App?
Patients can nominate bricks‑and‑mortar pharmacies instantly. Distance selling pharmacies require a separate process so they can collect additional information, such as delivery details and exemption status.

Feedback

If you have feedback, please visit cpe.org.uk/itfeedback.

See: National prescription tracking service for patients.

Since back in 2020, the NHS App has allowed patients to view and change their EPS nomination.

This helps patients choose the pharmacy that works best for them and reduces the need to collect and hand in paper FP10 prescriptions. It also helps reduce workload for pharmacy teams and GP practices.

To nominate a distance selling pharmacy, patients must register directly with that pharmacy, as additional information is required before prescriptions can be dispensed.

Community Pharmacy England and the Community Pharmacy IT Group supported this development. See also: Nomination.

The NHS App allows patients to request repeat prescriptions online where authorised by their GP practice. When EPS nomination is in place, prescriptions can be sent electronically to the chosen pharmacy.

Many pharmacies already offer online ordering through apps integrated with NHS systems. At present, pharmacies cannot see repeat prescription orders placed through the NHS App. Community Pharmacy England and the Community Pharmacy IT Group have fed back to NHS colleagues that visibility of orders for nominated patients would be helpful.

Further information: Online repeat prescription ordering

Further functionality may be added over time, including:

• suggested health apps from the NHS Apps Library;
• promotion of local digital and face‑to‑face services; and
• access to GP video consultation options.

Some features mirror GP online services already available. Certain services work even if a GP practice has not enabled full NHS App access, including the NHS 111 symptom checker and the NHS website health A‑Z.

Pharmacy teams are encouraged to download and use the NHS App themselves. Exploring the App helps teams understand patient experience and identify opportunities for improvement.

Community Pharmacy England and the Community Pharmacy IT Group continue discussions with NHS colleagues to shape future NHS App developments that support community pharmacy.

Send suggestions to Dan Ah‑Thion, Community Pharmacy England’s Community Pharmacy IT Lead. Feedback will be collated and shared with NHS teams.

The NHS App is available on Apple App Store and Google Play. Patient information is available on the NHS website.

IT system suppliers and developers can explore integration opportunities with the NHS App.

Guidance for suppliers: NHS App