Health leaders across the West Midlands are making an urgent plea to patients as the NHS prepares for one of its most demanding periods of the year.
An Urgent Call to Action
Medics are encouraging people to use the NHS App to help alleviate the immense pressure expected this winter. NHS Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country has revealed that take-up of the app in the region is significantly lower than the national average, despite the substantial benefits it offers.
Bosses emphasise that the app provides a fast and convenient alternative to the traditional methods of calling or visiting a GP practice.
The Stark Numbers Behind the Plea
Official figures paint a clear picture of the challenge. Among those registered with a GP 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. This compares poorly with the national adoption rate of 71 per cent.
The app is a powerful tool for managing personal health, with features that include:
- Ordering repeat prescriptions to a chosen pharmacy
- Booking and managing appointments
- Viewing GP health records and test results
- Managing Covid vaccinations
- Getting access to NHS 111 for advice
What Local Doctors Are Saying
Dr Mona Sidhu, a local GP and Medical Director for the Black Country ICB, strongly endorsed the app. "The NHS App is a simple and secure way for people to take control of their health, all at the click of a button," she said.
"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." She encouraged anyone with a smartphone or tablet to download the app immediately, highlighting that it is free, secure, and designed to make health management easier.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Aftab Arif, a GP in Birmingham, shared positive patient feedback. "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," he stated.
He reassured patients that the app is user-friendly, giving speedy access to services like test results and repeat prescriptions, thereby avoiding the need to wait on busy phone lines. Dr Arif encouraged all patients, "regardless of their technological know-how," to get the app via their usual app store.
For those without a smartphone or tablet, the health service confirmed that the same range of services can be accessed by using an NHS login on a computer or laptop at the official website: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app.
