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NHS App GP surgery messaging trial

Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.

The messaging feature in the NHS App is a convenient and secure way to receive appointment reminders and other messages that you might usually get a different way. For example, through SMS text messages or letters.

Some GP surgeries are now using the app to send messages, as part of an NHS trial to check if patients find this useful.

You can take part in this trial if your GP surgery is taking part, and you have:

  • downloaded and set up the NHS App
  • fully proved who you are to get full access
  • turned on notifications so we can tell you about new messages on your device
Information:

The care you get from your GP surgery or the NHS will not be affected.

How to take part

If you already have the NHS App

If your registered GP surgery is taking part, and you already have full access and notifications turned on, you will automatically be included in this trial. You do not need to do anything extra.

If you do not yet have the NHS App

You can download it and set it up to take part.

Check if you have full access

If you have the NHS App but you have not proved who you are to get full access, you'll see a message on the homepage telling you to prove your identity to get full access.

Read more about how to prove who you are to get full access

Check notifications are turned on

You need to turn on notifications to take part in this trial.

To check you have notifications turned on:

  1. Log in to the NHS App.
  2. Go to More.
  3. Select Account and settings.
  4. Select Manage notifications.
  5. Check this toggle is turned on: Tell me when I get new messages from my GP surgery and other healthcare services.

Read more about managing your NHS App account

Check your messages

To check your messages:

  1. Log in to the NHS App.
  2. Go to View your messages.
  3. Select View messages from your GP surgery and other NHS services.
  4. Select your GP surgery name.

Messages from your GP surgery in the NHS App

You will only get messages during the trial if your GP surgery needs to send you a message.

If you do not read a message sent using the NHS App, or if the message they need to send you is urgent, your GP surgery will contact you in the same way they do now. This will make sure you do not miss any messages by being included in the trial.

Tell us what you think

If you're included in the trial you'll get a message in the NHS App inviting you to take a survey. This will ask you to:

  • tell us what you think about the trial
  • choose if you would like to take part in further research

You do not have to do this, and the care you get will not be affected by your choice, but your feedback helps us improve the NHS for everyone.

About the NHS App

To use the NHS App you must be aged 13 and over and registered with a GP surgery in England. Find out more about who can use the NHS App.

Find out more about the NHS App

Get NHS App help and support

Read the NHS App privacy policy

Page last reviewed: 28 November 2022
Next review due: 29 May 2023