More than 35,000 people expected to open up NHS App on Christmas Day in the North West
Record numbers of people are expected to log into the NHS App on Christmas Day to help manage their health.
New analysis from NHS England has found that more than 37,800 people used the app across the region on 25 December last year.
Figures show that NHS advice pages on norovirus, flu and chest infections were the most visited conditions through the NHS App and nhs.uk website on Christmas Day 2024, with nearly 22,500 views between them.
Across the North West, nearly 10m repeat prescriptions were ordered through the app in the past 12 months (1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025).
The latest usage figures show 8.3m NHS App logins for November and over 29,000 primary care appointments booked.
New features that have been added to the NHS App this year include an Amazon-style prescription tracker – available at nearly 2,000 pharmacies – that lets patients see when their medication is ready to be collected, and a new family feature that makes it easier for parents and carers to manage their loved ones’ health.
The NHS App will also be a key part of the new NHS Online service which is due to launch in 2027 and will allow patients to book directly through the app to see specialists from around the country online, without leaving their home or having to wait longer for a face-to-face appointment.
Dr Paula Cowan, GP and Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England in the North West said: “The NHS is there for people all day, every day and it’s great to see the number of people accessing the NHS App on Christmas Day last year to get the help they needed.
“Over 4.5 million people in the North West are now registered with the NHS App and I’d encourage anyone who needs it to log into the app over the festive season to take advantage of the range of features it now offers – from tracking when your prescription is ready to checking the latest health advice.
“As ever, please continue to use A&E and 999 in life-threatening emergencies or use 111 Online and other services through the NHS App for less urgent conditions.”
The NHS has also published a list of 12 Ways to Use the NHS App at Christmas:
Medications
- Order a repeat prescription and check when it’s ready
- Nominate a pharmacy to make it easier to collect prescriptions
- Find your nearest pharmacy that’s open
- Check NHS advice on taking different medicines
Health advice
- Check if you need urgent medical help using 111 online
- Have your GP health record to hand when you’re on the move
- Find Services near you like sexual health clinics and dentists
- Check your health status for your new year resolutions with the BMI, BP and Heart Age tool
Appointments
- Check and manage hospital appointments and GP ones
- Turn on message notifications to avoid missing appointments from your GP and Hospital
Get involved in improving the NHS
Find out more details on how to register with the NHS App at: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app