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Using the NHS App isn’t always straightforward. We wanted to hear from local people about their experiences of getting help with the App; who they turn to and what they need help with. During our NHS App project people in the borough and Reading told us about the different ways they get support, from family and friends, community groups to their GP surgery. But we also found that formal support, such as commissioned digital café sessions were rarely used because people did no

Following our first infographic exploring residents’ experiences of the NHS App, we’re sharing the next set of findings from our survey results and conversations with local communities. Our findings show that around 1 in 3 people across the borough and Reading combined do not use the NHS App. People told us there are several reasons for this, including preferring traditional ways to access healthcare, lacking confidence with technology, and not having access to a suitable dev

Last updated August 2026 Welcome to our NHS App information page. This is your one-stop page for support and guidance for using the app. Whether you're just getting started or want to learn more, we’ve got you covered. If you can’t use the NHS App on your mobile phone, you can still access the same services and information through the NHS website. You can log in online using a laptop, computer, tablet or phone with internet access: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/ You can also co

In June 2025, the government announced plans to close Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, with responsibilities expected to transfer through legislation to other parts of the system (subject to confirmation). Following this announcement, The King’s Fund has today published a report 'The Future of Patient Voice: Learning from the Healthwatch Model' (commissioned in part by Healthwatch England but developed independently by think tank The King’s Fund). The

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has launched its refreshed strategy to improve patient care over the next five years. 2,400 patients, community members, NHS trust staff, volunteers and partners have contributed to the refresh. The strategy focuses on the Trust, embracing the NHS’s 10-Year Health Plan to lead transformation. The trust says that through artificial intelligence and data, genomics, robotics and advanced diagnostics, it will harness the power of technology to

The NHS is launching a new online hospital service, called NHS Online, designed to make it quicker and easier for people to access specialist care without always needing to visit a hospital in person. It will begin seeing its first patients next year, aiming to modernise healthcare by using digital technology, while still keeping face-to-face appointments available for those who need or prefer them. What will NHS Online do? Patients will be able to: Be referred by their GP to

The Government has responded to the petition to save Healthwatch, after plans were announced earlier this year to close down Healthwatch England and the local Healthwatch network as part of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan. The petition, which is open until 7 February 2026, calls on the Government to: • Revisit its decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public • Consult with the public to codesign a service which meets their needs and supports the