Surge in use of new NHS App prescription tracking feature will cut bureaucracy and free up pharmacy time

Responding to NHS England’s announcement that nearly 400,000 people have used a new prescription tracking feature in the NHS App in the first ten weeks since its launch, Ruth Rankine, primary care director and neighbourhood lead at the NHS Confederation, said:

“It is really positive that the new prescription tracking feature in the NHS App is being so well received by the public.

“Community pharmacies have a key role to play in neighbourhood health services – alongside other primary and community care services – so freeing up pharmacists to dedicate more time to prevention activities and long-term condition management is really important.

“They are essential partners in delivering the government’s Ten-Year Health Plan, particularly its ambition to shift towards prevention-focused, community-based care. The uptake of this new feature gives people greater control over their own health while also reducing demand and bureaucracy. But we need to remember that not everyone will be able to use tools such as this, so it’s important that we also design our services to reflect the needs of those who need them the most.”