Find out how to use family and carer access in the NHS App to manage health services for people you care for.

Paul Taylor, head of public sector at Vodafone Business, argues that if we get NHS reform right, then digital reform can become a route to fairer, faster and more confident care.

The NHS has announced the integration of artificial intelligence into its app to enhance patient care by directing individuals to the most appropriate service. The new triage tool will ask patients a series of questions to determine whether they should be directed to a GP appointment, pharmacy, A&E, community service, or receive self-care advice. This update aims to reach over 200,000 patients within the next 12 months, with full availability by April 2028 as part of a broader technological overhaul. The initiative has been largely welcomed, though health bodies have emphasized the need to prioritize patient safety, confidentiality, and inclusion as AI reliance increases. An initial trial at Wealden Ridge Medical Partnership in Sussex reported a 29% reduction in phone queue times. Dr. Ragu Rajan noted that the tool allows patients to communicate their needs directly, freeing clinicians to focus on critical cases. NHS England's chief executive, Sir Jim Mackey, highlighted the tool's potential to ensure patients receive the right care promptly. The project is part of a £10bn investment to modernize NHS technology, including AI-driven conversation recording for real-time transcriptions and clinical summaries. Trials show AI note-taking tools increase clinician-patient interaction time by 25%, though concerns about data security and digital exclusion remain. The Royal College of Nursing and think-tank experts stress the importance of balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations and equitable access.

The NHS will include an AI-powered triage tool in the NHS App in an attempt to cut waiting lists and improve care for millions of patients.

Update in England expected to reach about 200,000 patients over the next year as part of £10bn package to overhaul NHS systems

NHS Scotland has officially launched its new MyCare app, providing an online service which will help people access their health and social care information.

NHS England » Chair of new NHS online hospital trust is named

The NHS digital single patient record (SPR) could result in 20,000 fewer A&E visits in England per year and save £20m a year, says the UK government.

In today's King's Speech, the UK government unveiled the NHS Modernisation Bill, starting the process of introducing a single patient record.

Admin support is part of care. Practice manager Kay Keane reflects on the often-overlooked responsibilities and challenges facing admin staff in general practice.