NHS App Ambassador's August Newsletter

The toolkit contains:

• posters (that can also be printed in black and white)
• leaflets (that can also be printed in black and white)
• TV screensavers
• images for social media
• banners and images for websites
• posters that advise patients on how to access help and support

You can also find messaging templates for your website, social media and text messages to help explain to your patients how the NHS App can benefit them.. 

You can find materials to promote the ‘Order a Repeat Prescription’ feature on the NHS App here. Please keep an eye out for updates to materials on other NHS App features coming soon!

If your patient has a technical issue that you are unable to resolve, they can contact the NHS App team by raising a ticket via the NHS website: Tell us what you need help with (www.nhs.uk). You can also use this form to raise a ticket on behalf of your patients.

You can find guidance on how to troubleshoot the issue yourself through the support centre: NHS Digital Support Centre (zendesk.com)

You can also direct your patients to the help button on the top right of the NHS App screen, which will take them to the NHS App help and support pages: NHS App help and support - NHS (www.nhs.uk) (there are posters in the toolkit about how patients can get help with the NHS App)

If you have a general technical question, rather than a specific technical issue, please contact nhsapp@nhs.net.

Susie Day, Programme Director for the NHS App, has shared a blog reflecting on the evolution of the NHS App since its launch in 2019.

The blog discusses how the NHS App team have handled the growing demand for the app, the improvements and new services added in the last year and the upcoming plans for the future.

You can read Susie’s blog here: The NHS App after the pandemic - NHS Digital

I am a Primary Care Digital Envoy supporting 47 practices and 11 PCNs in East Devon. I am actively working with the majority of these practices to promote the NHS App. To do this, I host training sessions for staff, to help them to understand the benefits of the app to them and patients, and how usage of the app can positively impact their daily work.

I am working with Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) and encouraging them to become NHS App champions. The plan is for these PPGs to host workshops and support other patients with the NHS App. I am also working with Devon County Council’s adult education service Learn Devon, who are going to provide drop-in sessions for patients to learn how to use the app.

Using the NHS App Dashboard, I send the practices and PCNs I work with the latest NHS App stats for their area on a monthly basis. They can share this with practice staff and easily see that the work we are doing together is making a difference.

What tactics have worked particularly well to promote the NHS App?

The benefits realisation training has worked wonders, as there is a lot about the app that practice staff are not aware of. Once they realise the benefits, they are much more likely to use the app and promote it with patients. I am also looking at other ways to help practices promote the NHS App, such as workshops with patients and creating how-to guides.

What tools do you use to help promote the app?

I use the NHS App Dashboard every month to help practices and PCNs track their uptake and usage of the app. I also use all of the NHS App promotional resources, such as the posters and videos.

What features have patients/colleagues found most useful on the NHS App?

The main features we have focused on are the ability to book appointments, order medications and check test results. These are the key features which save practice staff a lot of admin time.

Do you have any other tips for ambassadors?

I would recommend getting in touch with local charities/councils/third sectors to see what help and support is available. Digital inequalities and health literacy are big issues in the UK. The more staff that can be educated in these matters, the better.

The majority of my practices have now added health literacy to practice staff inductions. Keeping in the know about these current issues and considering patient demographics can really help when promoting the app. There are loads of tools and resources out there that you can use to support patients who are not digitally enabled.