Nearly 14 million patients now securely using online GP services

The NHS Digital figures from February 2018 show that approximately 13.9 million patients across England are now securely using online services with their family doctor to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and view their record.

Compared to the same time last year, there has been an increase of 42 per cent in those people who are signed up for online services, having time and money for the patient and receiving pressure on squeezed GP services.

The data shows that an average of one million appointments are being made or cancelled online every month, and nearly 2.3 million prescriptions ordered online, as practices and their patients are increasingly using digital technology.

Juliet Bauer, Chief Digital Officer for the NHS said: “We’re delighted to see an almost doubling in the numbers of people accessing digital services in GP practices since last year. We’ve worked hard to support practice staff to be able to offer these services to their patients. The work to improve GP engagement, patient awareness and the patient experience is resulting in more sign-ups and better use of these vital services. This is just one example of how we are increasing the use of technology in the NHS to empower people to take more control of their health, well-being and care.”