Overview

The NHS App is set to become the primary national platform for delivering preventative healthcare, according to Rachel Hope, director of digital prevention services at NHS England.

Key Objectives

• Shift focus from treatment to prevention as part of the NHS’s 10-year health plan.
• Aim to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between affluent and disadvantaged regions.
• Strive to raise the healthiest generation of children.

Benefits of Preventative Healthcare

During a Digital Health webinar on January 6, 2026, Hope emphasized the societal advantages of prioritizing health prevention:

• Healthier individuals contribute to a stronger economy.
• Reducing long-term sickness, which currently affects nearly 2.8 million people.

Engagement through the NHS App

With approximately 3.6 million active users each month, the NHS App is well-positioned to deliver preventative services such as:

• Vaccinations
• Screening
• Digital health checks

Integration with Local Services

Hope stressed the need for national digital services to go beyond merely informing users about their eligibility for preventative services. She stated:

“We need to get out of this mindset of integration with local services being about signposting.”

The goal is for the NHS App to facilitate end-to-end support for prevention services, including:

• Completing referrals
• Ensuring information flows back into local systems

Collaboration with Local Initiatives

Hope highlighted the importance of aligning national digital services with local prevention initiatives, ensuring that the NHS App acts as a supportive layer rather than a replacement.

Opportunities for Improvement

Gary McAllister, chief technology officer at Dell, noted the potential for the NHS to lead in encouraging healthier lifestyles through the NHS App. He pointed out:

“Having a record that moves with you is quite important.”

Data Integration and Local Systems

Andrew Poole, head of data science and AI for NHS Dorset, emphasized the necessity of strong local systems to act on data effectively. He stated:

“If that data can feed into that process, then we’ve not only got individual management, but we’ve got the system looking after the individual as well.”

Recent Developments

In January 2026, digital technology firm Kainos, along with a consortium of smaller companies, secured a contract to enhance access to vaccinations and screenings through the NHS App, aiming to accelerate the delivery of personalized healthcare.

Conclusion

The NHS App is poised to play a crucial role in the shift towards preventative healthcare, with the potential to significantly improve health outcomes across the UK.