The NHS App is playing an increasingly important role in primary care, giving patients more control over their health while reducing administrative pressures on practices. More than 33 million people in England have registered for the app, yet many patients remain unaware of its full capabilities. Even when they are signed up, utilisation can be low, often because key services—such as appointment booking—are unavailable or under-promoted. 

For GP practices, increasing NHS App adoption isn’t just about encouraging registrations. The real benefits come when patients regularly use the app to manage their care. This helps reduce phone call volumes, allows patients to self-serve for routine tasks, and improves overall efficiency. With primary care facing increasing demand, supporting digital access through the NHS App is a practical way to free up capacity while improving patient experience. 

At Redmoor, we’ve worked with Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and GP practices across the country to help increase NHS App registrations and improve patient engagement. Through direct community engagement, targeted communications, and support for digital transformation, we’ve seen first-hand how effective promotion can make a real difference. 

Why NHS App Adoption Matters for Practices 

Encouraging more patients to sign up and use the NHS App has clear benefits for both practices and patients. When more people manage their care online, practices experience fewer calls, allowing staff to focus on those who need more complex support. The app’s in-built messaging service also reduces reliance on SMS communication, cutting costs and keeping all patient messages in one place. 

Missed appointments are a persistent issue in primary care, and the NHS App plays a role in reducing DNAs (Did Not Attends). Appointment reminders via the app help ensure that patients attend or cancel in advance, minimising wasted slots and maximising clinical capacity. More self-service options also lead to improved patient satisfaction, as people can book appointments, order prescriptions, and access their health records at their convenience, without waiting in phone queues. 

With the NHS prioritising digital transformation, the app is continually evolving to offer new services, including better hospital referral tracking and appointment management. Encouraging patients to adopt the NHS App now will ensure practices are prepared for the increasing shift towards digital healthcare. 

What We’ve Learned from NHS App Promotion

Community Engagement: South Yorkshire Case Study 

Redmoor has worked with several PCNs to improve NHS App adoption, and one of the most impactful recent projects took place in South Yorkshire. We delivered a community engagement campaign that included eight sessions across Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley, and Sheffield. These sessions provided hands-on support, helping patients register, log in, and understand how to use the app. 

In addition to face-to-face engagement, we used promotional banners, leaflets, and a radio interview with Penistone FM to increase awareness. One of the key findings was that many patients were hearing about the NHS App for the first time. While practices may assume that patients already know about it, direct engagement showed that there is still a significant knowledge gap. 

This targeted approach led to more than 1,400 new registrations across participating practices, demonstrating that when patients are given clear information and support, they are far more likely to sign up. 

Social Media Promotion: Norfolk & Waveney Case Study 

Beyond in-person engagement, social media has proven to be a powerful tool for NHS App promotion. In Norfolk and Waveney, we worked with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to deliver a coordinated social media strategy across 63 GP practices. 

This campaign, launched in November 2023, used a combination of informative posts, how-to guides, and patient testimonials to promote NHS App registration and usage. The results were significant: 

Feedback from the Norfolk and Waveney ICB highlighted the success of the campaign, which not only increased NHS App adoption but also established a sustainable digital communication network for future healthcare campaigns. 

These case studies demonstrate that a multi-channel approach—including face-to-face engagement, social media, and practice-level communication—has the biggest impact on NHS App adoption. 

How Practices Can Increase NHS App Registrations and Utilisation 

The Future of Digital Patient Access 

The NHS App is at the core of the NHS’s digital & transformation strategy. As its functionality expands, practices that invest in building patient adoption now will benefit from greater efficiencies, reduced admin workload, and improved patient experience. 

At Redmoor, we continue to work with PCNs and practices to support NHS App promotion, helping to drive both registrations and sustained patient engagement. Whether through community outreach, social media campaigns, or practice-level digital strategies, increasing adoption delivers tangible benefits. 

To help practices & PCNs achieve this, we’re running a webinar covering practical strategies for increasing NHS App uptake on 18th February (12pm-12:45pm) and 5th March (12pm – 12:45pm), sharing insights from our customer work. You can register to attend here. 

If you’re interested in working with us on a project to increase NHS App usage in your area, get in touch with us today.