Latest news with #NHSApp
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
NHS rolls out 'Amazon style' service so patients can get their medicines
NHS App now informs patients in England when their medicine is ready so they can avoid unnecessary trips or leaving it late to collect from chemists Hundreds of thousands of NHS patients have started using a new 'Amazon-style' service via its app so people can track their prescriptions. NHS England says 400,000 are using the tracking feature ten weeks after it was launched and health chiefs are calling on more to follow suit. It provides near real-time updates in the app that lets you know when your medicine is ready so you can avoid unnecessary trips or leaving it until the last minute to collect. It comes after five million patients had a consultation with their pharmacist instead of their GP since an NHS scheme to take pressure off family doctors. Currently around 45% of phone calls to community pharmacies are from people chasing prescriptions and the feature has been hailed by pharmacists as a 'game changer' in freeing up their time to see more patients. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'We are driving the reform necessary to make the NHS as easy and convenient to use as doing your shopping or banking online. 'Nearly 400,000 people are already using our new prescription tracker through the NHS App because it saves them time and hassle – no more queuing up at the pharmacy only to find their medicines aren't ready and no more time-consuming phone calls with pharmacy staff. Get the NHS App now - track your prescriptions, skip the in-person lines, and free up both yours and your pharmacist's time.' Since the launch 4.4 million people have viewed their prescription in the app, with 394,000 also using the app's new tracking feature to check whether their prescription was ready. Around 1,650 high street chemists – including every Boots in England – are now offering the service, which enables patients to check if their medicines are 'ready to collect' or 'dispatched by pharmacy' if they are being delivered. The service is also expected to expand to almost 5,000 pharmacies over the next 12 months. Ryan's Pharmacy in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, is the second busiest pharmacy dispensary in Yorkshire fulfilling more than 30,000 prescription items each month. Previously the online pharmacy needed five phonelines to field all the calls from patients with prescription enquiries, but since integrating with the NHS App, phone calls have dropped by around 80%. Pharmacist Yasif Salim said: 'We thought the lines must have gone down at first. Normally the phones ring off their hooks with patients asking for updates on their prescriptions. A normal day for us is noisy. 'Before the digital prescription updates were available on the NHS App the phone would ring constantly. And when it wasn't ringing, we were just waiting for it to happen. Some days it felt quite stressful and overwhelming. Some nights I went to sleep and dreamt of the phones ringing. And I know that feeling ran across the whole team. 'The beauty of it is that in pharmacy we didn't need to do anything. There wasn't any switch on preparations that we needed to make, and it didn't add any additional steps into the dispensing process. We could just carry on as usual and everything was handled by Pharmacy Manager.' Health service data suggests the NHS app has 37.4 million registered users, with an average of 11.4 million people using it to manage their healthcare every month. The app also allows patients to use a barcode to collect their prescription. Some 61.5 million repeat prescriptions have been ordered via the NHS App in the last 12 months – a 46% increase on the previous year. There were also 87.4 million views of patient test results during the same period. Dr Vin Diwakar, Clinical Transformation Director at NHS England, said: 'It's brilliant that so many people are making use of the new Amazon-style tracking feature in the NHS App, which means you can now be sure your prescription is ready before setting off to the chemist. 'For those who rely on regular prescriptions, the tracker offers near real-time updates on when their medicines are ready, like you can get for your online shopping, and this is all part of our shift to give people more control over their care through the NHS App. 'We're seeing millions more people using the app to easily order repeat prescriptions and get faster access to their test results – I'd encourage anyone who hasn't logged in for a while to take a look and see how the new features can help them manage their healthcare from wherever they are.'
Western Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
GMB's Dr Hilary Jones travels 360 miles to bypass NHS lists
The well-known television GP from Kent made a 180-mile trip from his home in order to undertake a second hip replacement at a hospital in Birmingham. Now, he is speaking out about his own surgery to show others awaiting treatment that they can also bypass long waiting lists. To do this, he took advantage of NHS Patient Choice after discovering a hospital that had almost no waiting list. Patient choice in the NHS provides patients with a legal right to choose where they receive their NHS healthcare services. GMB star Dr Hilary Jones travels 360 miles to bypass NHS waiting list Speaking after his procedure at Practice Plus Group's new hospital in Birmingham, Doctor Hilary Jones said: 'It was 180 miles from my home to Birmingham - but as it's a new hospital and it's a private hospital that treats NHS patients, they could get me in very quickly just with a referral from my GP. 'I'd do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it. "Patient Choice gives people real power - they just need to know it's there." The GMB and Lorraine star added: "The NHS App is going to be developed further to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP about your choices. 'You can choose to be referred to a private hospital at the outset, or you can switch hospitals like I did if you're facing delays locally. "It's free for the patient and costs the NHS no more than if that same patient had their op at an NHS hospital. "For people like me, who are lucky enough to be mobile despite needing an operation, it makes complete sense to find a hospital that can do your operation sooner so you can get on the road to recovery sooner. 'People don't want to be on a waiting list. They want to get on with their lives. 'Every single person who looked after me was amazing and couldn't have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far.' This comes after a poll of some 1000 adults showed that people awaiting NHS treatment would be willing to travel if it meant they could get what they need sooner. On average, respondents were happy to travel 60 miles if it meant they'd be seen within three to four weeks, or 49 miles for a six-to-eight-week timeframe. Around one in 10 said they would even travel over 200 miles if they could get the NHS surgery they need within a month. Data also found that 55% of Brits had no idea that under NHS Patient Choice, they can choose to travel to a hospital outside of their area. The research, which was commissioned by Practice Plus Group hospitals, which treat NHS patients as well as those who choose their Wellsoon private healthcare option, revealed that 35% would consider travelling more than 90 minutes if it meant saving £200 or more on the cost of paying for a hip or knee replacement. Jim Easton, chief executive, said: 'It's fantastic for patients that in the NHS 10-year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences. 'To achieve the ambitious waiting time targets, we also need more people to know that they can travel outside of their immediate area if they find a hospital that can see them sooner. Recommended Reading: 'It is important people realise they have the power to be proactive and get their treatment sooner, get back to work and back on track as soon as possible. 'Dr Hilary found this at our Birmingham hospital, which currently can see people in a few short weeks. 'We're proud to have been able to help him and wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.'
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
TV doctor Hilary Jones skips the NHS waiting list for surgery – and you can too with little-known trick
'I'd do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care,' the TV doc said PATIENT CHOICE TV doctor Hilary Jones skips the NHS waiting list for surgery – and you can too with little-known trick TV DOCTOR Hilary Jones travelled 180 miles for surgery to bypass his local NHS wait list, which would have left him in limbo for over a year. The popular GP, 72, from Kent, underwent a second hip replacement in a hospital in Birmingham, using an NHS referral service to fast-track the op. Advertisement 3 Dr Hilary Jones takes his first steps after his hip replacement surgery at the Practice Plus Group Hospital in Birmingham Credit: SWNS 3 The TV doctor went on a 360-mile round trip for surgery to bypass his local NHS waiting list Credit: SWNS Now, he is speaking out about his own surgery to show others waiting for treatment that they can also fast-track themselves - as long as they're happy to travel. Hilary was told he had moderately severe osteoarthritis in 2018, after suffering from hip pain. He had his right hip replaced weeks later on the NHS. But in October last year, the GP found out his left hip would also need surgery, after struggling with mobility. Advertisement When he was told he'd have to wait over a year for hip replacement in Kent, he took advantage of an NHS loophole few people know exist. It's called NHS Patient Choice and it provides patients with a legal right to choose where they receive their NHS healthcare services, including hospitals and other providers. This includes many private hospitals, as long as they provide services to the NHS and it does not cost the health service any more than a referral to a standard NHS hospital. Hilary discovered a hospital in the middle of the country that had almost no waiting list and decided to make the 360-mile round trip for surgery. Advertisement At his local hospital he would have waited more than a year but this took half that time. Speaking after his procedure at Practice Plus Group's new hospital in Birmingham, Hilary said: 'It was 180 miles from my home to Birmingham - but as it's a new hospital and it's a private hospital that treats NHS patients, they could get me in very quickly just with a referral from my GP. Junior Doctors Announce Five-Day Strike in July Amid Ongoing Pay Dispute 'I'd do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it. "Patient Choice gives people real power - they just need to know it's there. Advertisement "The NHS App is going to be developed further to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP about your choices. 'You can choose to be referred to a private hospital at the outset, or you can switch hospitals like I did if you're facing delays locally. 3 He called on patients stuck on waiting lists to take advantage of Patient Choice Credit: SWNS "It's free for the patient and costs the NHS no more than if that same patient had their op at an NHS hospital. Advertisement "For people like me, who are lucky enough to be mobile despite needing an operation, it makes complete sense to find a hospital that can do your operation sooner so you can get on the road to recovery sooner. 'People don't want to be on a waiting list. They want to get on with their lives. 'Every single person that looked after me was amazing and couldn't have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far.' The news follows a poll of 1,000 adults suffering from chronic aches and pains - including those in need of hip and knee replacements - which revealed people in need of NHS operations would be willing to travel if it meant they could get the surgery they're desperate for, sooner. Advertisement On average, respondents were happy to travel 60 miles if it meant they'd be seen within three-to-four weeks, or 49 miles for a six-to-eight-week timeframe. TIMELINE OF THE NHS WAITING LIST THE NHS waiting list in England has become a political flashpoint as it has ballooned in recent years, more than doubling in a decade. The statistics for England count the number of procedures, such as operations and non-surgical treatments, that are due to patients. The procedures are known as elective treatment because they are planned and not emergencies. Many are routine ops such as for hip or knee replacements, cataracts or kidney stones, but the numbers also include some cancer treatments. This is how the wait list has changed over time: August 2007: 4.19million – The first entry in current records. December 2009: 2.32million – The smallest waiting list on modern record. April 2013: 2.75million – The Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition restructures the NHS. Current chancellor Jeremy Hunt was Health Secretary. April 2016: 3.79million – Junior doctors go on strike for the first time in 40 years. Theresa May is elected Prime Minister. February 2020: 4.57million – The final month before the UK's first Covid lockdown in March 2020. July 2021: 5.61million – The end of all legal Covid restrictions in the UK. January 2023: 7.21million – New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledges to reduce waiting lists within a year, effectively April 2024. September 2023: 7.77million – The highest figure on record comes during a year hit with strikes by junior doctors, consultants, nurses and ambulance workers. February 2024: 7.54million – Ministers admit the pledge to cut the backlog has failed. August 2024: 7.64million – List continues to rise under Keir Starmer's new Labour Government. September 2024: 7.57million – A one per cent decline is the first fall since February and a glimmer of hope. December 2024: 7.46million – The list has fallen for four consecutive months. January 2025: 7.43m – still falling but slowly, likely due to added strain on emergency services and more cancellations due to illness over winter. And one in 10 would even travel over 200 miles if they could get the NHS surgery they need within a month. Of those polled, 36 per cent are currently on a waiting list, and 17 per cent have been in a queue for more than a year. But 55 per cent had no idea that under NHS Patient Choice, you can choose to travel to a hospital outside of your area that has a shorter waiting list - often a private hospital that treats NHS patients. Advertisement Those surveyed had similar motivations to Dr Hilary, with 55 per cent simply wanting to resume normal activities sooner, and 68 per cent wanting to avoid prolonged discomfort and pain. For 63 per cent, avoiding the stress of waiting was also key. However, 88 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, believed the option to choose your hospital needed to be promoted more widely. Commissioned by Practice Plus Group hospitals, which treat NHS patients as well as those who choose their Wellsoon private healthcare option, the survey also revealed 35 per cent of those who would consider going private to beat the waiting lists would travel for more than 90 minutes if it meant saving £2,000 or more on the cost of paying for a hip or knee replacement. Advertisement Jim Easton, chief executive, added: 'It's fantastic for patients that in the NHS 10 year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences. 'To achieve the ambitious waiting time targets, we also need more people to know that they can travel outside of their immediate area if they find a hospital that can see them sooner. 'It is important people realise they have the power to be proactive and get their treatment sooner, get back to work and back on track as soon as possible. 'Dr Hilary found this at our Birmingham hospital which currently can see people in a few short weeks. Advertisement 'We're proud to have been able to help him and wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.'
South Wales Argus
15-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
GMB's Dr Hilary Jones travels 360 miles to bypass NHS lists
The well-known television GP from Kent made a 180-mile trip from his home in order to undertake a second hip replacement at a hospital in Birmingham. Now, he is speaking out about his own surgery to show others awaiting treatment that they can also bypass long waiting lists. To do this, he took advantage of NHS Patient Choice after discovering a hospital that had almost no waiting list. Patient choice in the NHS provides patients with a legal right to choose where they receive their NHS healthcare services. GMB star Dr Hilary Jones travels 360 miles to bypass NHS waiting list Speaking after his procedure at Practice Plus Group's new hospital in Birmingham, Doctor Hilary Jones said: 'It was 180 miles from my home to Birmingham - but as it's a new hospital and it's a private hospital that treats NHS patients, they could get me in very quickly just with a referral from my GP. 'I'd do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it. "Patient Choice gives people real power - they just need to know it's there." The GMB and Lorraine star added: "The NHS App is going to be developed further to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP about your choices. 'You can choose to be referred to a private hospital at the outset, or you can switch hospitals like I did if you're facing delays locally. "It's free for the patient and costs the NHS no more than if that same patient had their op at an NHS hospital. "For people like me, who are lucky enough to be mobile despite needing an operation, it makes complete sense to find a hospital that can do your operation sooner so you can get on the road to recovery sooner. 'People don't want to be on a waiting list. They want to get on with their lives. 'Every single person who looked after me was amazing and couldn't have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far.' This comes after a poll of some 1000 adults showed that people awaiting NHS treatment would be willing to travel if it meant they could get what they need sooner. On average, respondents were happy to travel 60 miles if it meant they'd be seen within three to four weeks, or 49 miles for a six-to-eight-week timeframe. Around one in 10 said they would even travel over 200 miles if they could get the NHS surgery they need within a month. Data also found that 55% of Brits had no idea that under NHS Patient Choice, they can choose to travel to a hospital outside of their area. The research, which was commissioned by Practice Plus Group hospitals, which treat NHS patients as well as those who choose their Wellsoon private healthcare option, revealed that 35% would consider travelling more than 90 minutes if it meant saving £200 or more on the cost of paying for a hip or knee replacement. Jim Easton, chief executive, said: 'It's fantastic for patients that in the NHS 10-year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences. 'To achieve the ambitious waiting time targets, we also need more people to know that they can travel outside of their immediate area if they find a hospital that can see them sooner. Recommended Reading: 'It is important people realise they have the power to be proactive and get their treatment sooner, get back to work and back on track as soon as possible. 'Dr Hilary found this at our Birmingham hospital, which currently can see people in a few short weeks. 'We're proud to have been able to help him and wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.'
Scotsman
14-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
TV's Dr Hilary Jones travels 360-miles - to bypass local NHS waiting list
Dr Hilary Jones prepares to leave the Practice Plus Group Hospital in Birmingham after his hip replacement surgery. | Simon Stacpoole/PinPep TV doctor Hilary Jones went on a 360-mile round trip for surgery – to bypass his local NHS waiting list. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The popular GP, 72, from Kent, underwent a second hip replacement in a hospital in Birmingham, 180 miles from home, to reduce his waiting time for treatment. Now, he is speaking out about his own surgery to show others awaiting treatment that they can also fast-track themselves if they're happy to travel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He took advantage of NHS Patient Choice after discovering a hospital that had almost no waiting list in the middle of the country. Patient choice in the NHS provides patients with a legal right to choose where they receive their NHS healthcare services, including hospitals and other providers. This will include many private hospitals if they provide services to the NHS and it does not cost the health service any more than a referral to a standard NHS hospital. Speaking after his procedure at Practice Plus Group's new hospital in Birmingham, Hilary said: 'It was 180 miles from my home to Birmingham - but as it's a new hospital and it's a private hospital that treats NHS patients, they could get me in very quickly just with a referral from my GP. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'd do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it. "Patient Choice gives people real power - they just need to know it's there. "The NHS App is going to be developed further to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP about your choices. 'You can choose to be referred to a private hospital at the outset, or you can switch hospitals like I did if you're facing delays locally. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It's free for the patient and costs the NHS no more than if that same patient had their op at an NHS hospital. "For people like me, who are lucky enough to be mobile despite needing an operation, it makes complete sense to find a hospital that can do your operation sooner so you can get on the road to recovery sooner. 'People don't want to be on a waiting list. They want to get on with their lives. 'Every single person that looked after me was amazing and couldn't have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dr Hilary Jones recovering after his hip replacement surgery at the Practice Plus Group Hospital in Birmingham | Simon Stacpoole/PinPep 'People don't want to be on a waiting list - they want to get on with their lives' It follows a poll of 1,000 adults suffering from chronic aches and pains - including those in need of hip and knee replacements - which revealed people in need of NHS operations would be willing to travel if it meant they could get the surgery they're desperate for, sooner. On average, respondents were happy to travel 60 miles if it meant they'd be seen within three-to-four weeks, or 49 miles for a six-to-eight-week timeframe. And one in 10 would even travel over 200 miles if they could get the NHS surgery they need within a month. Of those polled, 36 per cent are currently on a waiting list, and 17 per cent have been in a queue for more than a year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But 55 per cent had no idea that under NHS Patient Choice, you can choose to travel to a hospital outside of your area that has a shorter waiting list - often a private hospital that treats NHS patients. Those surveyed had similar motivations to Dr Hilary, with 55 per cent simply wanting to resume normal activities sooner, and 68 per cent wanting to avoid prolonged discomfort and pain. For 63 per cent, avoiding the stress of waiting was also key. However, 88 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, believed the option to choose your hospital needed to be promoted more widely. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Commissioned by Practice Plus Group hospitals, which treat NHS patients as well as those who choose their Wellsoon private healthcare option, the survey also revealed 35 per cent of those who would consider going private to beat the waiting lists would travel for more than 90 minutes if it meant saving £2,000 or more on the cost of paying for a hip or knee replacement. Jim Easton, chief executive, added: 'It's fantastic for patients that in the NHS 10 year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences. 'To achieve the ambitious waiting time targets, we also need more people to know that they can travel outside of their immediate area if they find a hospital that can see them sooner. 'It is important people realise they have the power to be proactive and get their treatment sooner, get back to work and back on track as soon as possible. 'Dr Hilary found this at our Birmingham hospital which currently can see people in a few short weeks. 'We're proud to have been able to help him and wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.'
