NHS App Messaging

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Over the coming months the surgery intends to start utilising NHS App notifications to communicate with patients. Eventually this will replace text messages or emails as the default communication method, although patients will still have an individual choice as to which method they prefer.

How will this work?

We will initially send all communications to you via an NHS App notification. This will pop up on your phone like any other app notification and you will read the message in your NHS App. The majority of our patients are already registered for the NHS App and use it to order repeat medication, book, view and cancel appointments, and access their medical record.

Messages from the surgery will now be in the same app, so you can be confident they are genuine. This will include appointment confirmations and reminders.

What if my app isn’t working?

If the patient does not have the NHS App, or does have the App but does not have notifications enabled, then the NHS Notify service will immediately fall-back and send the message via email or SMS.

If the patient does receive the notification, but does not read the message within 4 hours, then the fall-back to email or SMS will be triggered.

Why are we making this change?

Why use the NHS App?

  • The NHS has a stated aim to support digital first communications
  • Hospitals, screening services and GP surgery messages will all arrive through the NHS App, ensuring consistency for patients
  • Messages are secure as they are held in your password protected NHS App
  • The surgery can send longer messages through the NHS App
  • NHS App notifications eliminate the huge costs of text messaging borne by the NHS
  • The majority of our patients already have access to the NHS App
  • GDPR compliant service
  • Award winning service
  • Meets Information Security Management System standard (ISO 27001/2) and the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

What Do I need to do?

If you already have the NHS App, and notifications are switched on … nothing!

See below for instructions on how to check notifications are switched on.

Download the NHS App

You can download and register for the NHS App here. Registration is usually a simple process that you can complete without having to contact the surgery.

Notifications

It’s important that all patients switch on App notifications as these tell you when you have a new message.

Read more about messages in the NHS App.

NHS App notification preferences are now managed in your device settings.

How to manage your notification preferences

  1. Log in to the NHS App.
  2. Select the Account icon in the top corner.
  3. Select Notifications.
  4. Follow the link to your device settings.

Turning your notifications on or off may take up to 24 hours to take effect.

If you use the app on multiple devices, you’ll need to allow notifications on each device.