Middle-aged patients will be encouraged to carry out their own health checks on the NHS app, rather than seeing a GP.
Health leaders want people over 40 to log on and check their risk of diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. This is part of an initiative to make digital tools for everyday care, such as booking appointments and checking test results, the 'gateway to the NHS'.
It is also hoped that the initiative will free up GPs to book appointments for those most in need. However, there are concerns that it could “exclude” or discourage less tech-savvy patients.
Last night it was reported that people may be able to sign up for illness themselves with the help of an NHS algorithm.
The first point of contact for sick people will be an online triage system via an app or website that will be piloted, The Times reported.
People with complex illnesses will be required to see a doctor, while others may be exempt from hospitalization for a few days by self-reporting symptoms such as the flu.
This is understood to be one of a number of options the government is considering. The digital assessment is due to be introduced later this year and will replace the standard invitation to see a GP, which is currently sent to people aged 40 to 74 every five years.
In addition to lifestyle questions, patients are also asked height, weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol measurements. Risk score results for diseases such as kidney disease and stroke are delivered through the app.
The number of users of the NHS app has more than doubled in the past 12 months to more than 34 million people, with the largest user group being over-65s. Approximately 85% of general practitioners are connected to the app, and 116 of his 125 acute care hospitals are connected to the app.
Joe Harrison, NHS England's national director of the app, said: “The public has a real interest in their medical records, test results and how they manage their health.”
“The app becomes the gateway to the NHS. It’s not going away, it’s only going to grow.”
Dennis Reid, director of campaign group Silver Voices, said elderly patients must not be sacrificed, saying: “If this is the front door to the NHS, the back door is equally open to unskilled people and people without expertise. We need to make it available to people.” I don't have a smartphone. ”