The Government is planning a new service called NHS Online. This service would mean that patients can receive some of their care through the NHS App, including online appointments, test results and advice from specialists.
NHS Online would not replace face‑to‑face care. It would be an extra option for people who want it and where it is safe to do so. Its aims are to:
- Reduce waiting times for people and improve access to specialist clinicians, when we need them
- Improve communication with patients when they need a range of different services e.g. tests, diagnostics, advice and guidance
- Provide more care closer to people’s homes, reducing unnecessary travel for patients
At first, NHS Online would focus on these treatment areas with long waiting times:
- gastroenterology
- urology
- gynaecology
- eye care (ophthalmology)
- More areas may be added later.
NHS Online will be an NHS Trust. This means that they would have an leadership board and a Patient Advice & Liaison (PALS) Team, just like your local hospital, but they will cover the whole country.
All doctors working for NHS Online would be fully qualified and regulated in the same way as doctors in local hospitals.
The Government have specifically asked us to gather your views about the planned NHS Online service. We will share your feedback directly with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Before you complete this survey, it may be helpful to watch a short video explaining the plans here:
Watch the NHS Online explainer video