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In a concerted effort to tackle the growing issue of missed health appointments, NHS leaders are calling on the public to activate notification settings on the NHS app. A recent survey reveals that one in four individuals have failed to attend scheduled appointments, prompting the health service to advocate for the use of technology to improve patient engagement and appointment management.
The Scale of Missed Appointments
A survey conducted with 2,000 patients across England has illuminated the significant scope of the problem. Findings indicate that 12 per cent of respondents either forgot about their appointments, while another 11 per cent arrived late. The implications of these missed appointments are troubling; NHS England reported that 16 million GP appointments went unattended in 2025, which represents a striking 4.3 per cent of all scheduled sessions. This amounts to one missed consultation for every 23 appointments, effectively translating to an entire day’s worth of missed GP sessions across the country each month.
A Call to Action
Dr Amanda Doyle, the national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, emphasised the importance of communication when it comes to missed appointments. “People will often have genuine reasons for not being able to make an appointment or arriving too late, but it’s really important that they let us know if possible so we can offer the appointment to someone else,” she stated.
The NHS app, which boasts over 40 million registered users, is positioned as a vital tool in this initiative. By enabling ‘push notifications’, users can receive timely reminders about their appointments, making it easier to cancel or reschedule if necessary. Dr Doyle noted the positive trend of GPs providing over eight million additional appointments in 2025, expressing hope that this new campaign, dubbed “Tap the NHS App,” will further enhance patient access to care.
The Features of the NHS App
Beyond appointment notifications, the NHS app offers various functionalities that can assist patients in managing their health. Users can order repeat prescriptions and review their medical records through the app, making it a comprehensive tool for health management. The push for users to take full advantage of these features is not only about reducing missed appointments but also about empowering patients to take an active role in their healthcare.
Why it Matters
The NHS’s initiative to promote the use of its app is a critical step in addressing the ongoing challenges of missed appointments, which have far-reaching implications for healthcare delivery. By encouraging users to activate reminder notifications, the NHS aims to optimise appointment availability, thereby improving access to care for patients in need. This campaign reflects a broader commitment to utilise technology in enhancing public health outcomes, ultimately striving for a more efficient and responsive healthcare system. The proactive engagement of patients through digital tools could mark a significant shift in how health services are utilised, potentially setting a precedent for future healthcare innovations.
