Millions of NHS patients in England can now receive notifications on their smartphones and smartwatches when their prescriptions are ready for collection. The new feature, available through the NHS app, sends near real-time alerts to users, according to NHS England.
How the New Prescription Alerts Work
The update is designed to reduce unnecessary phone calls and premature visits to pharmacies. Users must enable push notifications in the NHS app to receive the alerts. The feature builds on the existing prescription tracker, which officials have described as “Amazon-style,” and which has already been used by nearly 2.9 million people.
Around one in three pharmacies in England now offer the tracking service. The alerts provide near real-time updates, helping users avoid repeated checks on the app or unnecessary contact with their pharmacy.
Officials and Patient Groups Welcome the Change
James Frith, health innovation minister, said: “This is a practical example of how digital technology can make a difference to people’s everyday experience of the NHS, while also helping to reduce unnecessary calls and free up valuable time for pharmacy staff to focus on supporting patients. Anyone that uses the NHS app should switch on notifications so they can benefit from this brilliant new service.”
Rob Thompson, chief digital, data and technology officer at NHS England, added: “The new prescription ready alerts are the latest step in the NHS giving people more control over how they manage their healthcare, as well as helping to reduce admin for staff. Thousands of pharmacies are already live with the service, so I’d encourage all NHS app users to enable notifications in the app so they can get the full benefit.”
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: “Making it easier for patients to know when their prescription is ready can save time and reduce unnecessary trips to the pharmacy. It’s something many people have been asking for.”
Broader NHS Digital Developments
The announcement comes alongside a separate story about TV presenter Alison Hammond, who publicly thanked the NHS after suffering a panic attack live on air. The 51-year-old, who co-hosts This Morning, was taken off the ITV set during a segment about pets and later described the experience as “one of the scariest things I’ve ever been through.”
Returning to the show on Friday, Ms Hammond said: “I couldn't catch my breath and I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack.” She later shared an update on Instagram, where she expressed her gratitude for the care she received. Ms Hammond said: “Thanks to everyone at the NHS who did the checks on my heart, lungs, bloods. I’m all OK. It’s all clear. Which would mean I had a massive panic attack on live TV. I mean, the shame of it.”
During her on-air return, Ms Hammond and co-host Dermot O’Leary spoke with counselling psychologist Dr Sian Williams about panic attacks. The TV star admitted she felt nervous about coming back to the programme. She said: “I was anxious about coming back but I thought, if I don’t come back today, I probably wouldn’t come back. I would’ve made a thing that it’s This Morning that is causing the panic but it can happen anywhere.”
The NHS app’s new prescription alerts are expected to benefit millions of users, with the service already live in thousands of pharmacies across England, reducing admin for staff and improving patient convenience.
