The NHS App attracted 16.7 million unique users in England in September 2026, representing a 24 percent increase compared with the same month last year. New statistics published by NHS England on 23 October also provide detailed information about usage across different age groups. The figures offer healthcare organisations greater insight into how patients use digital health services and which functions contribute to continued engagement.
The latest statistics show that people aged 51 to 70 accounted for 37 percent of users who logged into the NHS App during September. This makes them the largest age group among active users. For the first time, NHS England has published age-related usage figures at national, regional and Integrated Care Board (ICB) levels. This enables healthcare organisations to examine differences in digital healthcare adoption between geographical areas and patient populations. The additional data could help identify groups that make less use of digital services and inform efforts to improve accessibility.
Prescriptions and communication drive usage
Repeat prescriptions remain an important function of the NHS App. In September, 6.3 million patients used the application to order approximately 7.8 million repeat prescriptions. Digital communication is another major component. Healthcare organisations sent 48.1 million messages through the app during the same month, with 40 percent opened within 24 hours.
Beyond prescriptions and messaging, patients can access GP health records, view test results and manage certain hospital and specialist appointments. The availability of individual functions depends partly on the services offered by local healthcare providers.
The figures illustrate how the NHS App is developing into a central digital access point for healthcare services. However, increasing user numbers do not automatically demonstrate improvements in healthcare quality or efficiency. While registration figures indicate the reach of the platform, actual usage provides more information about patient engagement. Evaluating the impact on healthcare delivery also requires evidence about patient experiences, administrative workload and clinical outcomes.
Accessible alternatives
NHS England is increasingly using the app as a primary communication channel between healthcare organisations and patients. Through its digital-first communication strategy, the NHS combines app notifications with other methods, including text messages, email and traditional letters. The NHS Notify service supports this approach by enabling healthcare organisations to distribute messages through different communication channels.
This is intended to improve the reliability of patient communication, particularly when individuals cannot access digital services or do not respond to app notifications. Accessibility remains an important consideration. NHS guidance includes provisions for alternative formats such as large print, Braille and audio, alongside accessible information in Easy Read and British Sign Language where available. Such alternatives are relevant for patients with disabilities, limited digital skills or difficulties accessing online services.
The newly available demographic information may help healthcare organisations understand which patient groups are actively using the app and where additional support or alternative communication channels remain necessary. For healthcare systems outside England, the NHS App provides an example of how a national digital health platform can combine patient access, prescription management and communication within a single application.
The latest statistics also demonstrate the importance of measuring more than downloads or registrations. Combining demographic information with actual service usage and communication engagement provides a clearer picture of digital healthcare adoption and the challenges involved in making these services accessible to different patient populations.
The importance of connecting digital tools with care processes also emerged in ICT&health’s interview with Peter Gocke of Charité. He described digital transformation as work that involves clinical departments, coordination and organisational change alongside technology.
Digital access, hybrid care and implementation will be among the themes at the ICT&health World Conference 2027, taking place from 26 to 28 January at MECC Maastricht. Announced speakers include Ming Tang, former chief data and analytics officer at NHS England.
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