The NHS across the South West is celebrating the latest healthcare innovations as it marks its 78^th birthday today (5 July).

Techniques and technology that would be unrecognisable to the health service’s founders in 1948 are transforming the way people access care, often without even having to leave home.

Leading the way is the NHS App, which is now used by seven out of 10 adults in the South West to manage their own health. Nearly 25,000 repeat prescriptions were ordered each day with the App in May 2026, for example – up 27% on May 2025.

Dr Stephen Trowell, NHS England South West’s Director of Digital Transformation, said: “As the NHS marks 78 years, it’s fantastic to see thousands of patients benefiting from these advances every day. They’re the sorts of things that wouldn’t have been dreamt of in 1948, showing just how far we have come.

“The NHS App is a quiet revolution for patients, a front door to the NHS, allowing people to take more control of their own healthcare as functions are added. It’s not just about ordering repeat meds – many of us can now do things like check our records, make and change appointments and keep in touch with our GP surgery.”

Other innovations across the South West include:

• A mobile X-ray car in Cornwall, which is bringing diagnostic services directly into communities, reducing travel for patients and cutting hospital admissions by up to 89%. The service is also in Plymouth and is particularly benefiting rural and coastal areas, making it easier for people to access care closer to home while supporting earlier diagnosis.

Consultant radiographer, Chrissie Eade from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust said: ‘Many of the people we see are delighted to be able to stay at home. We know that frail older people quickly lose their confidence and independence in hospital, so we try to keep people at home where it is safe to do so.’

• A digital optometry programme in Gloucestershire, which is making a significant difference for patients. Thousands are now receiving quicker care locally, with over 5,500 people avoiding hospital visits altogether.

More than 13,000 patients have had their care managed in the community, while 23,000 say they feel better informed and reassured, as optometrists can access their images and health records.

• The Acute Hospital at Home service in Devon, which is enabling over 16,000 patients to be cared for in their own home rather than in a hospital bed. It provides patients with the same treatment and rehabilitation that they’d get on a traditional hospital ward from the comfort of their own home.

A multidisciplinary team monitors patients using the latest ‘wearable’ tech and digital health techniques, alongside phone calls and face to face reviews. It allows patients to remain at home, close to their loved ones and connected to their everyday lives, while still receiving rapid diagnostics, expert monitoring and the right treatment at the right time.

• A scheme in Dorset that’s seen more than 17,000 people sign up to BP@Home, enabling them to monitor their blood pressure from home and share readings directly with clinicians. The service is helping patients stay in control of their health while reducing the need for GP and hospital appointments by 63%.

Glynis, a BP@home patient, said: It works really well and I’m so glad I’m on the programme, my husband is on it and it’s so easy, we even submitted our blood pressure results while on holiday, I’d recommend it to anyone, well I have recommended it to many, neighbours and friends”.

Sue Doheny, NHS England South West’s Interim Director said: “When the NHS was founded 78 years ago, it was built on pioneering ideas that transformed care. How brilliant that the same spirit of innovation continues today delivering care closer to home and even via our phones.

“None of this would be possible without all our fantastic South West regional colleagues, who continue to adapt and evolve with the service, going above and beyond for patients every day.”

The NHS Birthday is an opportunity to recognise the incredible work of staff and volunteers across the region, who continue to deliver innovative, high-quality care every day in line with the ambitions of the 10 Year Health Plan.