NHS confirms major change for patients in England to 'transform healthcare'

Millions of patients in England will see major changes as the NHS is set to roll out a new specialist care system. NHS Online is due to launch in 2027.

The digital scheme will have its own dedicated doctorswho can look after patients who opt to use the service. Their assessments, check-ups with consultants and follow-up appointments can then be carried out online.

On social media platform X, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) shared more details about NHS Online, which were reposted by the NHS official account. It said: "Introducing NHS Online. A new digital hospital will transform healthcare.”

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The DHSC said that “from 2027”, you'll be able to get specialist care:

• Straight to your home via the NHS App
• Faster than a traditional hospital appointment
• Wherever you live in England

It provided an example of how this could work for a patient. “A patient has problems with their eyesight but finds going to hospital hard because they care for someone, which makes travel tricky,” the DHSC said.

“At the optician, test results show something might be wrong. The patient can choose to go to hospital or use NHS Online. With help, the patient sets up the NHS app. They get a message to say they are now under NHS Online care.

“A specialist doctor working for NHS Online looks at the patient’s test results and diagnoses mild glaucoma. The patient gets prescribed specialist eye drops through the NHS app. Their GP record updates automatically.”

Regarding NHS Online, Health Secretary Wes Streeting previously told BBC Breakfast he was "really excited" about a new virtual hospital, which has already "been proven to work" in some hospitals - including University Hospital Southampton and Moorfields.

"It's basically about modernising the NHS, helping it to move with the times," he said. The system can also be used to book a scan, test or procedure at a local community diagnostic centre, if they need one.

However, NHS England said only those areas where an online service is considered safe will be included in the new offer. Ministers claim it could deliver up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years.

The NHS app, through which NHS online will be accessed, is already available on smartphones, tablets and computers to anyone who is:

• Registered with a GP surgery in England
• Aged 13 or over

It can currently be used to:

• Order repeat prescriptions
• Book and manage appointments
• Get health information and advice
• View your health record securely
• View your NHS number

For more information, visit the NHS website here.