UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Kidney Care UK survey finds 10% of patients learned of chronic kidney disease via the NHS app, with many facing delays in face-to-face care.
As reported by The Telegraph, a charity reports patients are receiving serious diagnoses through the NHS app without proper medical support.
What did Kidney Care UK say about patients receiving CKD diagnoses via the NHS app?
According to a report released by Kidney Care UK, patients experience significant delays between having their condition recorded and attending their first in-person consultation.
It said these delays are “robbing” CKD patients of the chance to take medication or adopt a healthy lifestyle that could improve their health.
The charity surveyed over 1,300 CKD patients and showed that more than 10% first learned of their condition via the NHS app, while nearly 15% were diagnosed incidentally during treatment for another health issue.
According to the survey, four in ten patients were unable to discuss their diagnosis with a health professional, and only 16% managed to speak with their doctor after requesting an appointment.
The charity’s report adds,
“NHS guidelines state that ‘patients shouldn’t be receiving serious diagnoses through digital channels without adequate support or context’.”
Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, said,
“As well as missing out on opportunities for medication, this robs people of time when they could be making lifestyle and dietary changes that could help prolong their kidney health.”
She stated,
“This report makes an urgent and compelling case that more needs to be done to make sure people receive a timely diagnosis, delivered sensitively and accompanied by useful information and support.”
Ms Loud continued,
“Moving from analogue to digital has huge potential for improvement, but as the findings of this report clearly demonstrate, it must have patient experience front and centre to avoid causing unintended harm or distress.”
As part of the Government’s decade-long health strategy, the NHS app is expanding. In July, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would serve as
“a digital front door”
to NHS services.
Over the past month, several patients have turned to Healthwatch England after discovering health conditions through the NHS app.
The charity calls for timely and proper communication of diagnoses, warning that patients should not discover their condition via the NHS app without consulting a health professional. It also calls for greater awareness and monitoring for individuals most at risk of CKD, such as patients with diabetes or hypertension.
What did NHS England say about patients receiving diagnoses via the app?
An NHS England spokesman said,
“NHS guidelines are clear that patients shouldn’t be receiving diagnoses for serious conditions through digital channels without adequate support or context.”
They added,
“The NHS will continue to provide compassionate care and support from clinicians, as well as giving patients the option to access their test results through the NHS app or other channels where appropriate.”
What is the NHS 10-year plan?
The NHS 10-Year Plan, officially titled “Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England,” is a government strategy released in July 2025. It aims to transform the health service through major shifts.
Under this plan, more care will move out of hospitals and closer to home. This includes creating new Neighbourhood Health Centres.
The plan focuses on making the NHS a “digitally led” service, primarily through a vastly expanded NHS App. The goal is for the app to become the main “front door” to the NHS by 2028.
What are the symptoms of CKD?
Around 7.2 million people in the UK live with CKD, a long-term condition that impairs kidney function. Its symptoms include general fatigue and swelling, with patients often experiencing persistent tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and fluid retention in the ankles, feet, or hands.
Patients with CKD may also face physical discomfort and other signs, including nausea, poor appetite, muscle cramps, and persistent itchy skin.
