‘Online hospital’ to open in 2027, says PM

Plans for a new NHS “online hospital” service to deliver millions of appointments each year by “digitally connecting patients to specialist clinicians” are set to be unveiled by the prime minister today.

The new service will be branded “NHS Online” and be accessible through the NHS App.

It is scheduled to go live in 2027 and will deliver “up to 8.5 million extra GP and consultant-led elective services in its first three years”, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to pledge in his speech to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.

NHS England said the increased capacity will help cut demand and reduce waiting times, saying the announcement was “a huge step forward for the NHS”. 

But experts said that while NHS Online would be “an interesting initiative and helpful for some”, detail was “largely lacking at this stage” and there were “difficult questions” to address about how it would be staffed and funded, and how patients would be passed between digital and physical services.

A Number 10 statement said: “Patients will always have the choice between NHS Online and their local hospital. Those who opt in to the service will also access and track prescriptions, be referred for scans and tests, and receive clinical advice on managing their condition – all from the comfort of their own home.

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Source: HSJ, 30 September 2025