Healthcare · Using the NHS
Using the NHS App and online GP services
Once registered with a GP, the NHS App lets you book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and see test results without phoning at 8am.
The NHS App is a smartphone application that puts key NHS services in your hands, allowing you to manage appointments, prescriptions and your health records from home. If you are a foreign resident or expat who has registered with a GP, the app is one of the most convenient ways to navigate the UK healthcare system without lengthy phone calls or early-morning surgery queues.
Getting started: registering and downloading the NHS App
Before you can use the NHS App, you must be registered with a GP surgery. Registration is usually straightforward and can often be done online, especially at larger practices. You will need to provide proof of identity and address. Once registered, the app will link to your practice automatically. The NHS App is free and available on both iPhone and Android devices via the App Store or Google Play. You must complete an identity verification process (which may take a week or so) before you can book appointments or view sensitive information.
Booking GP appointments without the 8am rush
One of the biggest advantages of the NHS App is avoiding the daily phone queue at 8am. You can book routine GP appointments directly in the app at any time of day or night. The app will show you available slots for the next 16 weeks, depending on how far in advance your GP practice releases appointments. Appointments are typically 10 minutes long, though some practices offer longer slots for certain types of consultations.
Not all appointments are bookable through the app. Your GP practice decides which appointment types to make available online. Some practices use triage-based systems where you submit a request first, and a clinician decides the best way to help you. If you see no slots available, this may mean your practice releases appointments daily (often in the morning) or uses an online triage form. For urgent problems that cannot wait, use the surgery phone number or call NHS 111.
Online triage forms: the faster route to help
Many GP practices now use online triage systems—the most common being eConsult—instead of, or alongside, traditional appointment booking. Rather than waiting on the phone, you complete a simple online form describing your symptoms or concern. The form goes to a GP who reviews it and decides the best care for you, whether that is a telephone call, video appointment, face-to-face visit, or pharmacy advice.
The advantage is significant: you can submit your form at any time, at your own pace, without waiting in a queue. You provide detailed information about your symptoms in writing, which allows the GP to prepare more thoroughly. Most practices respond within three working days. Many patients find that their issue is resolved by phone call after the GP reviews their form, saving them an unnecessary surgery visit.
You can access eConsult through your GP practice's website or sometimes directly via the NHS App. Check your practice's website to see if they offer online triage and how to use it. If you are new to the UK and unsure, simply ask your GP reception desk for guidance.
Ordering repeat prescriptions
If you take regular medication, ordering repeat prescriptions through the NHS App is far more efficient than phoning the practice. You can order at any time—even after hours—without waiting for the surgery to open.
Here's how it works. You select the medicines you want to reorder from your current list of repeat medications. The app shows you which medicines are available to request and explains why others are not yet available, such as if you need a medication review or if it is too soon to order again. Once you submit your request, the GP or a designated team member reviews and approves it, then the request automatically goes to your chosen pharmacy.
One key feature is the ability to choose or change your nominated pharmacy at any time within the app. You can specify a pharmacy near your home, workplace, or even a location where you'll be travelling. If you do not have a nominated pharmacy, you can generate a digital barcode in the app to collect your prescription at any pharmacy without needing a paper prescription slip.
Keep in mind that only repeat prescriptions can be ordered via the app. If you need a new medication or a short-course prescription, you must contact your GP surgery directly or use their online triage form.
Viewing your health records and test results
The NHS App gives you access to your personal health information anytime, from anywhere. Depending on what your GP has made available, you may be able to view your medicines, allergies, health conditions, vaccination history, test results, and appointment notes. This is especially useful if you are moving GP, changing location, or need information quickly without waiting for an appointment.
Your vaccination record is viewable in the app, showing which vaccines you have had, when, and where. This includes routine immunisations, COVID-19 vaccines, and others. However, if you were vaccinated outside the UK, it will not appear in the NHS record unless your GP has manually added it. For COVID-19 vaccine records specifically, the app also allows you to download a PDF copy or share a digital barcode for travel purposes.
Test results—such as blood tests from your GP or hospital letters—should appear in the app within a reasonable timeframe, usually within 48 hours for most tests. This means you do not have to call the surgery asking, 'Have my results come back?' Instead, you can check yourself immediately.
Not all practices grant full access to detailed records immediately. When you first set up the app, you may see only a summary record showing your allergies and current medicines. Over time, or if you request it, your GP can grant you access to more detailed information. If you feel something is missing from your record, contact your GP surgery.
Finding and using your NHS number
Your NHS number is a unique 10-digit code that follows you through every NHS interaction in your life. It is essential for ensuring your records are linked correctly and preventing duplicate records. The number remains with you permanently unless there are exceptional circumstances such as adoption or gender reassignment.
You do not strictly need to know your NHS number to register with a GP or access most NHS services. However, it is very useful to have it, especially when dealing with multiple NHS organisations such as hospitals, community services, or when moving between GP practices.
Where to find your NHS number
- On any letter or document from the NHS, including appointment letters, prescriptions, test results and hospital referrals. It will be displayed prominently next to your name.
- In your GP registration letter, which you receive after first registering with a practice. This is a common source if you are new to the UK.
- Online via the official NHS service. Visit the NHS website and use the Find Your NHS Number service, which will send your number to you by text, email or letter.
- By calling your GP surgery. Staff can look it up for you, though they may ask you to prove your identity over the phone or in person.
If you are a recent arrival to the UK or have just registered with a GP for the first time, you will be assigned an NHS number during registration. Watch for your registration confirmation letter in the post, as it will contain your number. If you lose track of it, the online lookup tool is the fastest way to retrieve it.
When you will need your NHS number
While many NHS encounters do not require you to quote your number, you may be asked for it when attending hospital appointments, switching GP surgeries, registering with dentists or opticians, or when NHS organisations need to cross-check your records. Having it to hand can speed up appointments and prevent confusion.
Keeping your app account secure
The NHS App uses NHS login, a secure single sign-on system. Make sure your password is strong and unique. Do not share your login details with anyone. If you suspect unauthorised access, change your password immediately and contact your GP surgery. The app contains sensitive health information, so treat it as you would a medical card or official document.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you cannot see test results or vaccination records after several days, your GP may not have granted you access yet, or the data may not have been uploaded. Contact your GP surgery and ask them to enable access to your detailed health record. Similarly, if you see no appointment slots, your practice may only release them daily or use online triage exclusively. Check the practice website or phone to confirm their booking method.
If you are unable to verify your identity, the process can take up to two weeks. Ensure the details you provide match your GP registration exactly, including your full name and date of birth. If you are still having trouble after this time, speak to your GP reception team.
Keep reading — Using the NHS
How to register with a GPRegistering with a local GP surgery is free and doesn't require proof of address or immigration status — here's how to do it right.
The Immigration Health Surcharge and what it coversMost visa holders pay the IHS with their application — after that, NHS care is mostly free at the point of use. What's included and what isn't.
Prescriptions, dentists and emergenciesPrescription charges (and where they're free), why NHS dentists are hard to find, and when to use 111, urgent care or A&E.Always verify with official sources before acting on the information above.