A new family feature on the NHS app, currently piloted in 68 GP practices, allows users to manage multiple profiles for loved ones, simplifying healthcare access and treatment coordination while reducing administrative workload.
A new family feature on the NHS app aims to revolutionise the way parents and carers manage healthcare for their loved ones, offering a level of convenience likened to switching Netflix profiles. This innovation, currently being piloted in 68 GP practices with nearly 12,000 users, allows individuals to add multiple profiles to their NHS app online, rather than requiring an in-person visit to the GP surgery. This digital transformation is designed to streamline tasks such as booking GP appointments for children or ordering repeat prescriptions for elderly relatives, enhancing ease of access and support within families.
The feature enables users to toggle between their own health profile and those of their family members or patients they care for, provided all are registered with the same GP practice. Crucially, this reduces administrative burdens on GP staff and improves the efficiency and coordination of care. Plans are underway to expand the service more widely from next year, with hopes that by early 2027, the app will permit users to manage profiles of relatives registered at different GP practices, further broadening its accessibility.
Dr Vin Diwakar, clinical transformation director at NHS England, highlighted the significance of this development, stating that the family access feature enhances the ability of carers to support their loved ones’ health and represents a major step towards transforming healthcare through digital technology as part of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan. He also emphasised the effort to tackle digital exclusion, recognising the barriers some patients face in accessing healthcare services.
Previously, gaining access to another family member’s NHS app profile required a time-consuming visit to the GP surgery with paperwork that often took half an hour or more. The new online application process represents a substantial improvement in user convenience and accessibility, which is particularly valuable for patients and carers who may have technological challenges or language barriers.
Healthcare professionals involved in the pilot have praised the feature. Will Palmer, a digital community connector at Frome Medical Practice in Somerset, described it as a “gamechanger,” noting how it reduces administrative workload while empowering carers and improving communication and care coordination.
The NHS app itself offers a broad range of services, including ordering repeat prescriptions, viewing medical records, and making GP appointments. With 38.5 million users currently registered, this new linked profiles feature builds on an already extensive digital healthcare platform.
Academic voices also support the development’s potential impact. Professor Nora Colton, director of University College London’s global business school for health, pointed out that while much attention is given to advanced technologies like artificial intelligence within the NHS, simplifying access to care is equally critical. She stressed that enabling family members to support vulnerable patients more efficiently through the app may not seem transformative at first glance but will have a genuine positive effect on the lives of many.
NHS Digital has provided thorough guidance on the linked profiles and proxy access functionality, explaining how GP practices can set up proxy users and grant permissions for essential services such as appointment bookings and prescription management. Guidance documents and quick reference materials help both patients and GP practices navigate the process, ensuring the feature can be adopted smoothly and securely.
This development reflects a broader NHS initiative to harness digital tools to improve care delivery, reduce administrative overhead, and ensure that patients and carers are better supported in managing health needs within families. It also highlights the ongoing commitment to digital inclusivity, recognising that technology must be accessible and usable by all sectors of the population.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1], [2]
- Paragraph 2 – [1], [2]
- Paragraph 3 – [1], [6]
- Paragraph 4 – [1], [3], [4]
- Paragraph 5 – [1], [7]
- Paragraph 6 – [1], [5], [6]
- Paragraph 7 – [1], [6]
- Paragraph 8 – [1], [4], [5]
- Paragraph 9 – [1], [2], [6], [7]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on 26 September 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 25 June 2025, when the NHS announced plans to overhaul the NHS App to tackle health inequalities. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-app-overhaul-will-break-down-barriers-to-healthcare-and-reduce-inequalities?utm_source=openai)) The current report provides updated details on the pilot phase, including specific figures and quotes, indicating freshness. No evidence of recycled content or discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes was found.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Dr Vin Diwakar and Professor Nora Colton are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. This suggests the content is original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Irish News, a reputable UK news outlet. While not as globally recognised as some other media, it is a credible source within the UK.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the NHS App’s new family feature align with previous announcements and developments. The reported figures, such as nearly 12,000 users in 68 GP practices, are plausible and consistent with the scale of NHS initiatives. The tone and language are appropriate for the topic and region, with no inconsistencies noted.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and original, with no evidence of recycled content or discrepancies. The quotes are unique, and the source is reputable. The claims are plausible and consistent with known developments, with appropriate tone and language. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.
Supercharge Your Content Strategy
Feel free to test this content on your social media sites to see whether it works for your community.
