- Plans are being explored to allow patients to order and receive results for at-home diagnostic tests via the NHS app, with aspirations for a basic version to launch from April.
- These potential tests could cover seven specialities, including checks for liver function, cholesterol, sexually transmitted diseases, prostate cancer, rheumatology, women's fertility issues, and the MRSA superbug.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted that the initiative aims to empower patients with more control over their healthcare, making diagnosis faster and more convenient, and envisions the NHS app becoming 'a doctor in your pocket'.
- The service is intended to expand upon existing at-home testing for conditions like HIV and bowel cancer, facilitating easier health monitoring for patients and reducing the need for GP visits, particularly benefiting those with chronic conditions.
- This development aligns with Labour's 10-year health plan to enhance direct access to diagnostic services, with a goal for 92 per cent of patients to receive a diagnostic test, outpatient appointment, or operation within 18 weeks of a GP referral by 2029.
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