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NHS Launches 'Tap the NHS App' Push to Cut Missed GP Appointments

Officials say push alerts will help users manage bookings to free up GP time.

Overview

  • New NHS England campaign urges patients to enable NHS App notifications so they get reminders and can cancel or reschedule appointments.
  • Official data show 16 million GP appointments went unattended in 2025, equal to 4.3% of bookings and roughly a day of lost consultations per practice each month.
  • A Censuswide survey of 2,000 adults found 12% had forgotten an appointment and 11% had arrived too late.
  • Promotions appear on pharmacy bags, radio and social media, with guidance to switch on notifications in app settings and use the app to manage bookings.
  • Leaders highlight the app’s 40+ million users, expanded functions such as repeat prescriptions and Amazon-style tracking at 2,000 pharmacies, and note GP appointments rose to 376 million in 2025, up 8.4 million year on year.