Publisher Health

New digital prescriptions mean NHS App users in England can now collect medication from a pharmacy without having to visit a GP or health centre.

The usual paper slip given by doctors has been replaced by an in-app barcode, which can be scanned at any pharmacy.

Users can already request repeat prescriptions on the app – and every digital order fulfilled will save the GP three minutes, NHS Digital says.

It comes after a trial last year, involving more than a million users.

Patients can use the app to check what medicines they have been prescribed, and when.

Anyone who has a nominated pharmacy can continue to collect medication without a paper prescription or barcode, as the details are sent to their pharmacy electronically.

The app also shows average local hospital waiting times for elective treatment, such as hip replacements.

The number of repeat prescriptions ordered digitally has grown by more than 45% in the past year, with an average 3.1 million requested each month.

Now in its sixth year, the NHS App also allows its more than 33 million registered users – two-thirds pensioners – to:

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said the update would “ease pressures on our hardworking pharmacists and GPs – freeing up valuable time for patients and helping to cut waiting lists”.