Since the launch of the Apps Library, NHS Digital has worked with more than 350 developers to include new apps. This inspired the milestone of 70 apps in honour of the 70th birthday celebrations of the National Health Service.
The library will continue to grow and cover many more health and care needs. The new apps cover a diverserange of topics including, among other things:
- support to prevent and manage diabetes including diet, exercise and lifestyle change
- mental health apps offering advice and support on managing thoughts, feelings and behaviour and coping with panic attacks
- apps to support personal wellbeing and a healthy lifestyle
- tools to help manage the symptoms of chronic conditions such as asthma and high blood pressure
- support to cope with the impact of breast cancer
The NHS Apps Library was launched as a beta site in April 2017 to provide a library of digital health tools which are accessible to patients, trusted and easy to use and help them make better choices about digital health and care.
Prior to the 70 milestone, it already featured a range of apps offering services including managing the symptoms of chronic conditions, apps for relaxation and wellbeing and improving sleep.
Hazel Jones, programme director of NHS Digital’s Apps and Wearables team, said: “We are really delighted to meet this milestone in time for the 70th birthday celebration of the NHS. There have been some amazing developments in technology in health care over the past 70 years and apps are an exciting tool for how patients access health services and make choices about their care both now and in the future.
“The Apps Library has already proved to be a great success. There have been over a quarter of a million visits in the last year and more than half of those were from mobile phones, which shows how patient access to health care is transforming.
“We will continue to work with developers to offer apps which are relevant, helpful and empower patients to manage their own condition, which has been proven to lead to better outcomes.”
Juliet Bauer, chief digital officer at NHS England, said: “I am delighted we have got to 70 apps on the NHS Apps Library in the week of the NHS’s 70th birthday by adding on apps that address two of our biggest challenges – mental health and diabetes.
“The NHS Apps Library will help the public navigate the confusing array of health apps, advising them which apps have met NHS standards. Together with putting free NHS Wi-Fi in GP surgeries and hospitals and developing an NHS App, the Library will help empower citizens to take control of their own healthcare.”
