Apps
Published on: 27th January 2017 | Updated on: 13th July 2026
Apps are software applications used on smartphones, tablets or computers. Some apps connect with NHS Patient Facing Services (PFS) and related tools.
Apps have become an increasingly routine part of healthcare. In the future, recommending a high‑quality app may become as common as giving advice about lifestyle or medicines.
Health apps fall into three main types:
- Medical apps
These support diagnosis or treatment decisions, for example a dosage calculator.
- These are classed as medical devices;
- They must be CE marked for use in the UK;
- The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) provides guidance to help identify these apps.
- Medical device accessory apps
These work alongside a CE‑marked device (for example a blood pressure monitor app).
- They do not need their own CE mark.
- Health apps (non-medical devices)
These support care but do not make clinical decisions.
- For example, apps that record health data or track steps;
These can support conversations with patients but do not determine treatment.
Many patients expect pharmacies to offer digital services alongside face‑to‑face care. Some apps link to NHS systems and offer additional features beyond the NHS App.
Below are examples of commonly used platforms (this is not a complete list).
| App/platform name | Order repeat medicines from GP | Access health information | Book GP &/or pharmacy appointments | Notifications about prescriptions being dispensed / ready for collection | Reminders to take medicines | Notes / functionality |
| BeWell |  |
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BeWell partners with community pharmacies to provide a platform that begins with a Patient CRM (relationship manager), that has features: prescription ordering, appointment scheduling, and develops the overall patient engagement experience. Pharmacy owner’s can white label their branded Patient Application, patients can manage their NHS repeat prescriptions, communicate securely with their pharmacy, manage their medication reminders, and book appointments with your pharmacy — in one app.
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| Charac | |
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Patients can use the app to order NHS repeat prescriptions and book appointments. Charac work with community pharmacies to enable patients to use the app in relation to their NHS prescriptions. Charac includes relationship management system to offer their patients the ability to engage with their services digitally including regarding consultations. | ||
| Co-Op Health (previously ‘Dimec’ acquired by Co-Op pharmacy) | |
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Patients can use the app to order NHS repeat prescriptions with smart devices. They can sync medicines history with their GP record, order NHS repeat prescriptions, and receive notifications on the status of requests. Medicines can be arranged to be ready for collection from the pharmacy of their choice. | |
| Engage Consult | |
(GP) |
Engage Consult allows patients and carers to connect with their GP practice and access services online from a PC, tablet or smartphone. It can be used to order repeat prescriptions, book appointments, and have an online consultation. | |||
| Evergreen Life | |
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(GP) |
Evergreen Life is a personal health record app that stores patients’ health information in one place. Patients can also create an account on the Evergreen Life website. It enables patients to actively manage their health, fitness and wellbeing. For example, they can order repeat medication, track their lifestyle goals, book GP appointments, and view and download their medical record using either the app or the website. | ||
| Healthera | |
(GP) |
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The Healthera app aims to help patients use their local pharmacy services. They can use it to manage their repeat prescriptions and medication, book appointments and contact their pharmacist for clinical advice. | |
| NHS App / NHS account | |
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(GP) |
Patients across England can now login to their NHS account using the NHS App or by logging in at the NHS website. The NHS account will allow patients to order repeat prescriptions, check their patient record or book and manage GP appointments. GP practices will need to review some of their IT system settings to enable patients to access the NHS account’s full range of functions. See more: Community Pharmacy England’s webpage about NHS App. |
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| Now Patient and Now GP apps | |
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These apps are associated with the Now Healthcare Group and the Now distance selling pharmacy. Now GP offers GP consultations. | ||
| Patient Access | |
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(GP/pharmacy) |
An app related to the Optum GP clinical system. It supports ordering of repeat medicines, viewing of health record information and booking of GP or pharmacy appointments. | ||
| Patient Services | |
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(GP) |
A website related to the Vision (INPS) GP clinical system. It supports ordering of repeat medicines, viewing of health record information and booking of GP appointment prescribing system. | ||
| SystmOnline | |
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(GP) |
An app related to the SystmOne (TPP) GP clinical system. It may support ordering of repeat medicines, viewing of health record information and booking of GP appointments. |
Note:
This list focuses on platforms with NHS integration (for example IM1 medicine ordering).
See also: NHS website list of online service providers.
Closed apps: NHS COVID‑19 app.
Read more at: NHS App.
- Quality and safety:
Read our briefing Features of higher quality health apps and how to give app feedback. - Consent and patient understanding:
Patients must give informed consent before using an app;
Do not accept app terms on their behalf;
Patients should understand how their data may be used. - Clinical judgement:
Apps do not replace professional care;
Encourage patients to combine digital tools with clinical advice. - Keep up to date:
Stay aware of commonly used apps and current NHS services.
Patients are increasingly using apps to manage their health and interact with services.
Common features include:
| Category of app/online feature | Example features which patients are using or requesting |
| To be reminded | • E.g. Reminders to take medicines for patients, or patient reminders to collect medicines from the pharmacy. Reminders could be sent by SMS text message, emails or app notification. |
| To learn healthcare information (general or personalised) | • E.g. Patient access to their own electronic health records. |
| To express choices about care |
• E.g. Selection of EPS nomination choice of pharmacy: The NHS App is piloting this feature to be made available within NHS App. • E.g. Organ donation preferences can be set using the NHS App. |
| To express choices about their health and care data | • E.g. Patient data opt-out system: NHS England’s national data opt-out system offers patients the opportunity to make an informed choice about whether they wish for their personal identifiable information to be used where only research / planning as the reason. Patient can express their wish via the NHS App, the NHS website or the NHS England IT telephone contact centre. |
| To confirm their identity (Authentication) |
• E.g. NHS login: Patients feedback to NHS England suggested that there had been frustration with separately authenticating their identity each time they began to use a different NHS-related app (e.g. with a new registration process to gather many new login details). The purpose of authentication systems is to protect user data. The NHS App is already integrated with the NHS login authentication system. This NHS login system enables the patients go through a robust authentication system which more than one app developer can align with. App developers that fulfil criteria may integrate with NHS login to provide patients with a smoother experience for patients that use multi apps that enable ‘log-in with your NHS login’. Community Pharmacy IT Group (CP ITG) has encouraged suppliers, pharmacy reps etc to be aware that app developers should be asked to integrate with NHS login. This could make the app more usable for patients. |
| To book pharmacy appointments | • E.g. Pharmacy appointment booking: Some pharmacy contractors may enable patients to use an app or website to book a pharmacy appointment with the pharmacy. |
Order repeat medicines (apps)
A NHS PFS capability.
EPS nomination change (apps)
An NHS App capability.
Notifications about prescriptions being dispensed / ready for collection (apps)
A capability within some pharmacy apps.
Reminders to take medicines (apps)
A capability within some pharmacy apps.
Pharmacy appointments (in apps)
Some pharmacy contractors may choose to enable relevant patients to book a pharmacy appointment with the pharmacy, using a patient app. See above within the ‘Patient app lists‘ and the column relating to ‘Book GP or pharmacy appointments‘.
App developers that report such functionality currently include:
- Patient Access (an app related to the EMIS GP clinical system)
Community Pharmacy IT Group received feedback from some pharmacy contractors that it would be helpful if NHS App could enable such a feature. Community Pharmacy England and CP ITG are supportive of NHS pharmacy appointment standards and systems integrating with those standards. If you would like to share views with Community Pharmacy England about this, or report other apps which start to provide this functionality please contact Community Pharmacy England’s IT team. Digital appointment systems can also assist pharmacies with scheduling video consultations services.
See also patient apps lists
Patient choice must always be protected when using apps.
Key principles
- Patients must give informed consent to nomination;
- They must be free to choose any pharmacy;
- Choice must not be influenced unfairly by apps or services.
What pharmacy teams should do
- Display the patient choice poster in the pharmacy;
- Ensure patients understand their rights;
- Be alert to apps that may limit or influence choice.
Responsibilities for apps and providers
- Apps must present balanced information;
- GP practices and pharmacies must follow nomination guidance;
- Regulators (such as General Pharmaceutical Council and Care Quality Commission) expect this.
If you have concerns about digital tools and patient choice, see the reporting guidance or contact Community Pharmacy England.
App standards help ensure safety, usability and data protection.
Current approach: DTAC
- NHS England uses the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC);
- Covers clinical safety, data protection, cyber security, interoperability and accessibility.
Other standards
- IM1 and Patient Facing Services enable integration with NHS systems;
- GP Connect supports data sharing between services;
Developers must also meet wider legal and regulatory requirements.
NHS standards (historical)
- The NHS Apps Library is now closed;
- It used assessment questions covering safety, data security and usability.
You can help improve apps by giving feedback.
Provide feedback or reviews
- Use app stores or developer websites.
Report concerns to:
- MHRA (medical device safety issues);
- Information Commissioner’s Office (data misuse);
- National Reporting and Learning Service (patient safety incidents);
- NHS England (misuse of NHS branding);
- The app store provider (quality concerns).
If patient choice may be affected, see: cpe.org.uk/reportIT.
Office tools and antivirus
See relevant guidance pages.
CPPE resources
- CPPE provides lists of useful apps for pharmacy staff;
Reference apps
- Drug information;
- Clinical calculators;
Guidelines and decision support tools.
Patient journeys with apps
NHS England research has explored how apps can improve repeat prescribing.
This work highlights patient challenges and potential digital solutions.
In some cases, data from apps or wearable devices may be shared with health records.
This depends on appropriate data sharing agreements and patient consent.
NHS developer guidance such as the Developer and integration hub explains how to build compliant technology.
Developers should:
- Record how and when consent is obtained;
- Follow Information Commissioner’s Office guidance on marketing;
- Support patient choice and transparency.
See also the ‘Patient choice’ section.
Q. Is the NHS Apps Library still open?
No. The NHS Apps Library has now closed. NHS England now uses the DTAC process to assess digital tools.
Community Pharmacy England briefings:
- Features of high quality apps and how to feed back
- Update about ‘online services’ (NHS PFS) & app offerings (2020)
- National Information Board (NIB) and health apps
Related webpages:
For more information on this topic please email it@cpe.org.uk
