The NHS has launched prescription-ready alerts for mobiles and smartwatches

Millions of people across England can now receive notifications on their mobile phones and smartwatches when their NHS prescriptions are ready to collect, making it easier to manage their medication

The new notifications have been introduced through the NHS App. They will help patients save time by removing the need to repeatedly check prescription updates, call pharmacies, or make unnecessary trips to collect medicines.

This comes after the success of the NHS app’s prescription tracking service, which has been used by nearly 2.9 million people since its launch last year.

Alerts when prescriptions are ready

Patients can now receive almost real-time notifications when their prescriptions are ready for collection at nearly 2,500 pharmacies across England. This includes every ASDA and Boots pharmacy store.

To receive the alerts, NHS App users need to enable push notifications in the app settings. Once switched on, they can get an alert directly on their mobile phone or smartwatch when their medication is ready.

Patients can also log in to the NHS App to check the latest status of their prescription. The service shows whether medicines are ready to collect or have been dispatched by the pharmacy for delivery.

Thousands of pharmacies already offering the service

The prescription tracking feature is continuing to expand, with more than 3,200 pharmacies across England now offering it. This represents around one in three pharmacies.

Since going live last year, the tracking feature has been used more than nine million times.

The introduction of notifications builds on this success by making it easier for patients to receive updates without opening the app and checking manually.

Managing healthcare

The new alerts form part of wider efforts to improve the NHS’s digital services and give patients greater control over their healthcare.

By reducing unnecessary calls and visits, the service could also ease pressure on pharmacy teams, letting staff spend more time supporting patients with their medication and other healthcare needs.

The Patients Association has welcomed the introduction of the alerts, highlighting their potential to save time, improve convenience and give patients more choice in how they access information.

However, non-digital ways to access healthcare information and support remain important for people who do not use smartphones or prefer other communication methods.

How to receive prescription notifications

NHS App users are encouraged to check their notification settings and enable push alerts to benefit from the new feature. Prescription tracking is available for orders processed by participating pharmacies.

With more than 39 million registered users, the NHS App already lets people order repeat prescriptions, manage hospital appointments, and view their GP health records.