A new free digital health app has been launched in the borough by the NHS making booking appointments, finding local services and seeking advice much easier.

Health Help Now helps residents and patients manage their health all in one place including booking an appointment with a GP or finding your local pharmacy.

The timing comes as NHS services prepare for extra demand over the winter period, encouraging patients to use the right service at the right time.

The app helps people check symptoms and find the best place for treatment – showing which nearby services are open. Importantly, it will help people to know when to go to A&E, and when not to.

“improving patient experience in Ealing”

Appointments can be booked and changed on the platform through GP online, and there’s a service to book and change hospital appointments, putting people in control of their care.

There is also symptom checkers and NHS approved health apps for information on living a healthier life and support in managing long-term conditions.

“Health Help Now is a really useful one-stop shop for residents to find local services and for trusted healthcare advice”, says Dr Mohini Parmar of NHS North West London. “Often people don’t know where to go for help and might end up at A&E when they don’t really want or need to be there. The app helps to find alternative services and even book a GP appointment.

“It’s a great step forward to improving patient experience in Ealing. It’s really easy to use and gives patients greater visibility of what’s available. There are lots of good health apps on offer but this is local and brings services and advice under one roof”.

Find out more, visit www.healthhelpnow.nhs.uk or search on any smart device ‘Health Help Now’ in the app store or google play.