How can I get the NHS app?
Wales
The NHS Wales App is available to people aged 16 or over who are registered with a GP practice connected to the app. It is available in Welsh and English.
You can find out more about the NHS Wales App here.
You can find out if your GP practice is connected to the app here.
Scotland
A more limited app is available in Scotland. This allows you to search for local services and get advice using a chatbot.
You can find out more about the Scottish App here.
England and the Isle of Man
The NHS app is available to anyone aged over 13 who is registered with a GP in England or the Isle of Man.
On your phone or tablet you can get the app from:
On your computer you can log in through the NHS website.
To use most of the features on the app you will need to prove who you are. There are two ways to do this.
In the app
This information relates to the app for England and the Isle of Man. The Welsh app is similar but available to fewer people.
You will be asked:
1. To take a photo of some photo ID. The accepted types of ID are:
- passport (except Syrian passport)
- UK driving licence (full or provisional)
- European driving licence (full)
- European national identity card (except paper Italian ID card or Greek ID card)
- UK residence card or biometric residence permit (BRP)
2. To record your face using the app.
3. What your NHS number is. If you do not know your NHS number, you should still be able to use the app.
You might also be asked for things like your date of birth or postcode.
Once the app has all this information it will be checked. This usually takes a few hours, depending on when you send it.
At your GP surgery
If you are registered with a GP in England, you can also ask your GP surgery to help you to set up your app.
You will have to fill in a form. You will then be given registration details that you can use to set up your app.
The registration details you will be given are:
- a linkage key, also called a passphrase
- an ODS code, also called an organisation code or practice ID
- an account ID
What can I use the NHS app for?
This information relates to the app for England and the Isle of Man. The Welsh App is similar but available to fewer people. For more detail on the Welsh app click here.
Once your app is set up you will be able to:
- order repeat prescriptions
The app is a quick way to order your regular medicines. It will have a list of all the medicines you are prescribed so you can select the ones you need.
You can also nominate a pharmacy. The prescription will be sent straight to that pharmacy, so you just need to go and pick it up.
A doctor will still look at your repeat prescription request. So wait a couple of working days before going to the pharmacy to be sure that the prescription will be ready.
- book and change GP appointments
You can use the app to see a list of available appointments, and which doctor they are with. This can make it easier to find a time that works for you.
Some GP surgeries do not put all their appointments online. Or they might hold some back for emergencies. If you need to see a doctor urgently and there are no appointments on the app, call the surgery.
- view some of your health records
For example your allergies and which medicines you are prescribed.
- access NHS 111 for online help and medical advice
- book and manage COVID-19 vaccinations if you are eligible
- register your organ donation decision
- choose how the NHS uses your data
Depending on your GP surgery or hospital you might also be able to use the app to:
- message your GP surgery or a health professional online
- contact your GP surgery using an online form and get a reply
- access health services on behalf of someone you care for
- view and manage your hospital and other healthcare appointments
- view useful links your doctor or health professional has shared with you
- view and manage care plans
Find out more
England and the Isle of Man:
You can find out more about the NHS app here: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/
More videos to help you use the app
Wales
You can find out more about the NHS Wales App here: https://apphelp.nhs.wales/
Scotland
You can find our more about the NHS 24 online app here: https://www.nhs24.scot/nhs24-online-app/
published: March 2024
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