West Midlands NHS bosses plea to patients during one of the busiest times of the year
Medics are urging people across the West Midlands to use a service to help alleviate the pressure of one of the busiest times of the year.
NHS Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country said take up of the NHS App in the area is lower than national average despite the benefits it can bring.
Bosses said the app can prove to be a fast, convenient alternative to calling or visiting your GP practice.
Figures show, among those registered with a GP practice and aged 13 or over, only 57 per cent of people in the Black Country and 59 per cent in Birmingham and Solihull have downloaded the app in comparison with 71 per cent nationally.
Features of the app include ordering repeat prescriptions to your chosen pharmacy, booking and managing appointments, viewing GP health records, managing Covid vaccinations and getting access to NHS 111.
Dr Mona Sidhu, local GP and Medical Director, Black Country ICB, said: “The NHS App is a simple and secure way for people to take control of their health, all at the click of a button.
“This winter, when NHS services are often busier, the app can save you time and help you get the care you need faster – from ordering repeat prescriptions and viewing test results to checking symptoms and finding reliable advice.
“If you haven’t already, I’d really encourage anyone with a smartphone or tablet to download the app today.
“It’s free, secure, and designed to make managing your health easier.”
Dr Aftab Arif, a GP in Birmingham, said: “We’ve heard directly from patients that the NHS App is more convenient and accessible for them, supporting them to be proactive in managing their own health.
“It’s easy to download, easy to use and easy to see exactly what you need to look after yourself.
“It gives you speedy access to things like test results, repeat prescriptions and more, avoiding the need to wait on the phone while our lines are busy.
“We would encourage all patients, regardless of their technological know how, to get the app today via their usual app store.”
For those without a smartphone or tablet, the same services can be accessed using your NHS login on a computer or laptop at www.nhs.uk/nhs-app.
