Nearly 12,000 people have already applied through the running pilots, and the NHS England plans to expand the service more broadly from 2026
The NHS has launched a major update to its mobile phone app, aimed at helping parents, carers, and loved ones manage their family’s health. This feature particularly supports those who make healthcare decisions for others when authorised by a GP practice.
The update, currently being tested in 68 GP practices, enables patients to add another profile to their NHS App online as easily ‘as switching profiles on Netflix’. This could allow parents to schedule appointments for their children or request repeat prescriptions for an elderly relative when they are unable to do so themselves.
Nearly 12,000 people have already applied through the running pilots, and the NHS England plans to expand the service more broadly from 2026. Dr Vin Diwakar, Clinical Transformation Director at NHS England, said: “The family access feature in the NHS App makes it much easier for parents and carers to support the health of their loved ones – and it’s as simple as switching Netflix profiles.
“It’s also hugely beneficial for GP practices, reducing the time staff spend on admin and freeing up resources, as well as improving efficiency and coordination of care.
“This is a great example of how we’re transforming healthcare by harnessing digital technology as part of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan, as well as tackling digital exclusion.”
The NHS App provides a quick and secure method to access various health services, including ordering repeat prescriptions, viewing medical records, and booking GP appointments. Recent figures indicate that the NHS App has 38.5 million registered users, with about 56.5 million logins per month on average to manage healthcare.
Although parents or carers can manage their own health through the app, setting up access for a relative used to require visiting a practice and filling out paperwork, which typically takes at least 30 minutes.
Parents and carers registered at the same practices as their loved ones can now request relative access through the NHS App by providing certain details, including valid identification. This request goes through multiple verification checks before approval, and staff will ensure it is suitable for you to act on behalf of another person.
Depending on the level of access granted, you may then be able to:
- Book appointments for another person
- Request and manage their repeat prescriptions
- View some or all of their GP health record
Anyone wishing to manage health services for others via the NHS App can still visit their GP practice in person if they prefer, or if the online service isn’t available in their area yet.
Will Palmer, Digital Community Connector at Frome Medical Practice in Somerset, also commented: “Patients are so relieved that they can easily get set up to order repeat prescriptions or see test results for their loved ones in the NHS App.
“For our practice, it reduces the admin burden and improves efficiency, care coordination and communication, as well as empowering carers – it’s a game-changer.”
For more information about the new update, head to the NHS website here.