Residents in Burntwood are being offered free face-to-face support sessions designed to help them confidently use the NHS app and access a growing range of digital healthcare services.
The drop-in events, taking place at Burntwood Library, are aimed at anyone who may be struggling to set up or navigate the NHS app, particularly older residents, first-time users, or people with limited digital experience.
Organisers say the sessions will provide practical one-to-one guidance on how to unlock key healthcare services directly from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Among the services residents can receive help with are:
- Creating and verifying an NHS app account
- Ordering repeat prescriptions online
- Viewing medical records and health information
- Managing appointments and requesting GP services
- Learning how to safely access NHS digital features
The sessions will run from 10 am to 2 pm at Burntwood Library on:
- 19 May 2026
- 9 June 2026
People attending are asked to bring photo identification along with the device they wish to use, whether a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop.
Supporting Digital Healthcare Access
The initiative reflects the NHS’s continued push towards digital healthcare services, with the NHS app increasingly becoming a central hub for patients to manage appointments, prescriptions, and personal medical information.
While millions of people across the UK now use the platform regularly, some residents still face barriers with digital confidence, account verification, or understanding how to use the app’s features.
Local support sessions, such as those in Burntwood, are intended to bridge that gap by providing direct assistance in a familiar community setting.
Healthcare organisations across Staffordshire have also been encouraging residents to make greater use of online healthcare tools in order to reduce pressure on telephone systems and improve access to services.
Recent NHS-related surveys in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent highlighted that free support sessions can play an important role in helping residents feel more comfortable using digital healthcare platforms.
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Why the NHS App Matters
The NHS app has become an increasingly important tool for patients seeking faster, more convenient access to healthcare services. Through the app, users can:
- Check prescriptions and request repeat medication.
- Access parts of their GP health record.
- View test results and medical information.
- Receive NHS messages and notifications.
- Manage healthcare appointments.
For many patients, the app reduces the need for phone calls or in-person visits for routine requests. However, community organisations and local authorities recognise that not everyone finds digital systems easy to use, which is why in-person support remains essential.
Community-Based Support in Burntwood
Burntwood Library has regularly hosted advice and wellbeing sessions supporting residents with digital access, community services, and cost-of-living guidance. The latest NHS app sessions continue that wider effort to ensure residents can access important services without feeling excluded by technology.
Organisers are encouraging anyone who needs help — regardless of experience — to attend the free sessions and receive tailored guidance. The support is available on a drop-in basis, meaning no advance booking is required.
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NHS’s Spokesperson Statement
“The aim of this session is to support patients across Lichfield and Burntwood in setting up and confidently using the NHS app.
“As healthcare services increasingly move towards digital access, we recognise that not everyone feels comfortable with technology and may benefit from some extra guidance and reassurance.
“This event brings together volunteers from local libraries, alongside Patient Participation Group (PPG) members from local GP practices, all working together to support residents.”
“I found out my diagnosis on the test results page on the NHS app, which was absolutely outrageous and frustrating, but the NHS said they were inundated with Parkinson’s referrals and I just had to sit tight and wait,”
