![\"NHS](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-1529960408_a67bd2-e1772612317611.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt\u2019s easy to enable notifications (Picture: Jaap Arriens\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tIt\u2019s easy to enable notifications (Picture: Jaap Arriens\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
According to recent NHS figures, 16 million GP appointments<\/a> were missed in 2025, with 4.3% of these counted as no-shows.<\/p>\n That\u2019s equivalent to an entire day of missed appointments at every GP practice in England each month \u2014 the financial cost of which would presumably be eye-watering if calculated.<\/p>\n In a nationwide survey, the health<\/a> service revealed almost one in four people have missed a medical appointment<\/a> because they forgot or arrived too late.<\/p>\n This is despite the fact 8.4 million, or 2.3% more GP appointments were arranged last year, taking the total to 376 million.<\/p>\n So, struggling with stretched budgets, funding cuts and increasing wait times<\/a> for patients, the NHS has launched a new campaign to combat this easily-avoidable issue.<\/p>\n As part of \u2018Tap the NHS App<\/a>\u2019, Brits are being urged to turn on notifications, with adverts appearing on pharmacy bags, radio<\/a> channels and social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t Not only does this app remind users of appointments, it allows them to cancel or rearrange<\/a> those they can\u2019t make, and request repeat prescriptions.<\/p>\n Last year, an \u2018Amazon-style\u2019 prescription feature was rolled out in collaboration with 2,000 pharmacies across England, which shows the progress of the order and when it\u2019s ready to be collected.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tDo you use the NHS App to manage your appointments and prescriptions?<\/p>\n Yes, I use it regularly.Check<\/p>\n I have it installed but I don’t use it much.Check<\/p>\n No, but I’m interested in using it.Check<\/p>\n No, I don’t plan on using it.Check<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up to Metro’s The Slice newsletter for your guide to what’s on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways.<\/p>\n Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation Minister, commented: \u2018In the busy lives we all lead, it can be easy to forget an NHS appointment or need to reorganise it at the last minute.<\/p>\n \u2018That\u2019s why I\u2019d encourage everyone to tap the NHS App and turn on notifications \u2013 so you can stay on top of your appointments and let us know if you need to reschedule. When you do, someone else can be seen instead, helping us continue to cut waiting times.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tHow to turn on notifications for the NHS App\t\t\t<\/p>\n Open the NHS App \u2014 available to download on the Apple Store<\/a> and Google Play<\/a> \u2014 and log in. \u2018It\u2019s fantastic to see that GPs provided more than 8 million extra appointments for their patients in 2025, and I hope this new campaign will help increase that number even more in 2026,\u2019 added Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England.<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019d encourage all NHS App users to make the most of what the app has to offer so they never forget an appointment.\u2019<\/p>\n Latest ONS<\/a> figures show that people typically now prefer to contact their GP online when they have a health problem.<\/p>\n More than three quarters (75.2%) of adults found it easy to contact their GP practice, up from 71.6% a year ago, with more than 40 million users now registered with the NHS App.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2111795775.jpg\")
\n\t\tOver 4% of the 16 million missed appointments were no-shows (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\nClick the \u2018account\u2019 icon (which looks like a silhouette of a person) and go to \u2018notifications\u2019 in the \u2018settings\u2019 section.
\nClick \u2018go to device settings\u2019 and enable notifications.
\nBack on the NHS App, update your contact details to make sure you receive important messages about your healthcare.<\/p>\n
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