The digital first NHS is transforming how patients access healthcare, with 61% of patients now using GP websites as their first stop for requesting appointment and prescriptions and seeking medical advice. As demand for NHS online consultations rises, practices must adapt to provide efficient, user friendly digital services.
The rise of digital first healthcare in the NHS
- NHS App registrations surged from 2 million in 2021 to 30 million in 2023, reflecting a shift towards NHS digital transformation
- In 2021, 35% of UK patients reported using virtual consultations, up from just 6% in 2020
- Over 1.3 billion people worldwide are expected to use digital health services in 2025, including GP websites, wearables and online consultations
What this means for General Practice
With GP workloads increasing and patient expectations changing, a digital first NHS requires GP practices to:
✅ Improve website usability for seamless online patient access
✅ Offer secure, efficient NHS online consultations to reduce unnecessary in-person visits
✅ Enable repeat prescription requests through digital platforms to cut down admin work
How to stay ahead in NHS digital transformation
To thrive in a digital first NHS, GP practices need:
- A high performing website that meets NHS digital standards
- User friendly online services that make NHS online consultations easy to access
- Secure digital solutions that support patient needs while reducing strain on reception teams
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