North Lincolnshire residents are being encouraged by their local NHS and council to download the NHS App.

It is a simple and secure way of accessing a range of NHS services on their smartphone or tablet.

The NHS App was developed to help people in England get more information about their health and care – and more control of how they use NHS services.

Currently in North Lincolnshire, only 29% of people have downloaded the app.

The hope is that this will increase significantly, as the demand on health and care services remains extremely high.

Dr Faisel Baig, Chair of NHS North Lincolnshire CCG says the NHS App provides an easy route to access your health service.

“Locally we’re urging residents to download this vital app to gain quick access to health care information, at a time most convenient for you. Staff are still working incredibly hard to treat and care for our local people.

“In November 2021, in North Lincolnshire there were 104,603 general practice appointments. This is 12,611 more appointments than in November 2019. Around 75 per cent of these appointments were face to face, and 35 per cent of these were same day appointments.”

“The NHS App provides an alternative to calling your practice for guidance, as you may be able to get information at just the click of a button.”

Further figures for November reveal there were 3,642 primary care appointments across the region which were not attended – so were not available to other patients.

Through the NHS App it is quick and easy to book and cancel appointments.

“We need your help to support our NHS to be as efficient as it can be. If you cannot attend your GP appointment, please cancel it so it can be taken up by another patient.

“Downloading the NHS App is the easiest way to manage your appointments.”

You can also use the app to:

• get your NHS COVID Pass
• order repeat prescriptions
• get health advice
• view your health record
• register your organ donation decision
• find out how the NHS uses your data
• view your NHS number.

Most patients will not need to visit their GP practice to set up a login for the app, but can prove their identity in the app and create their NHS login.

The app can be downloaded to a smart phone or tablet via Google Play or the Apple app store. You need to be 16 or over to use the NHS COVID Pass service and registered with an NHS GP practice in England.

The NHS App should not be confused with the NHS COVID-19 App which offers the fastest way to see if you’re at risk from coronavirus.

If you don’t have access to a computer or smartphone and have been fully vaccinated, you can call 119 for a copy of the NHS COVID Pass letter.

It can take up to 5 working days for your letter to reach you. If you have any further questions visit www.nhs.uk or call 119.

For further information

• NHS App help and support: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/
• About the NHS App: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/about-the-nhs-app/
• Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status: www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass