WIREDGOV

Millions of people across England can now get an alert on their smartwatch or mobile when their prescription is ready to be collected.

The new alerts are being introduced following the success of the ‘Amazon-style’ prescription tracking feature in the NHS App, which has been used by nearly 2.9 million people since its launch last year.

The app’s users can now get an instant smartwatch or mobile notification when their prescription is ready at nearly 2,500 chemists across England – including every ASDA and Boots pharmacy store.

They will need to enable push alerts in the NHS App to receive the notifications, and will be able to find out more details on the status of their prescription order within the NHS App.

Around one in three pharmacies in England – over 3,200 stores – are now offering the prescription tracking feature in the app, which has been used over 9 million times since it went live last year.

Rob Thompson, Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer at NHS England, yesterday said:  

“The NHS App’s prescription tracking feature has been incredibly popular since we launched it last year, and we’re now making it even easier to find out when your prescription is ready.

“Millions of app users will be able to get near real-time alerts on their smartwatches or mobiles, avoiding the need to regularly check the app or make unnecessary trips or calls to their pharmacy.

“The new prescription ready alerts are the latest step in the NHS giving people more control over how they manage their healthcare as well as helping to reduce admin for staff.

“Thousands of pharmacies are already live with the service, so I’d encourage all NHS App users to enable notifications in the app so they can get the full benefit.”

Health Innovation Minister, James Frith, yesterday said:

“People should be able to manage their healthcare as simply and conveniently as possible, and these new alerts will make it easier for millions of NHS App users to know when their prescriptions are ready to collect.

“This is a practical example of how digital technology can make a difference to people’s everyday experience of the NHS, while also helping to reduce unnecessary calls and free up valuable time for pharmacy staff to focus on supporting patients.

“Anyone that uses the NHS App should switch on notifications so they can benefit from this brilliant new service.”

Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, yesterday said:

“Making it easier for patients to know when their prescription is ready can save time and reduce unnecessary trips to the pharmacy.

“We welcome the introduction of these alerts, which give patients greater choice and convenience in how they manage their healthcare.

“It’s something many people have been asking for, and alongside other non-digital ways of accessing information and support, can help make it easier for patients to get the information they need in a way that works for them.”

The  NHS App now has more than 39 million registered users who can access a range of services, including managing hospital appointments, checking their GP health record, and ordering repeat prescriptions.

Instead of phoning up pharmacies, patients can instead track their prescriptions by logging in to the app to see if their medicines are “ready to collect” or “dispatched by pharmacy” if they are being delivered.

Find out more on how to register with the NHS App