Patients across England will soon be able to receive specialist medical advice from the comfort of their own homes through a major new digital initiative. The NHS has announced the launch of NHS Online hospitals, a service set to begin seeing its first patients next year.
How the New Digital Service Will Work
Following a referral from their own GP, people will be able to connect with hospital specialists via a secure video consultation directly through the NHS app. This innovative approach is designed to speed up access to specialist care and is a key part of the health service's strategy to tackle lengthy waiting lists.
The system will allow patients to speak to available consultants from anywhere in the country, potentially bypassing the need for long journeys to distant hospital sites for initial assessments. However, the NHS has emphasised that tests, scans, or physical procedures will still be carried out at healthcare facilities closer to a patient's home.
Nine Conditions Targeted for Faster Care
In 2027, the service will initially focus on nine specific, often painful and distressing conditions where faster diagnosis and treatment can have a significant impact. Patients will always retain the option for face-to-face appointments, and those requiring physical examinations will be seen in person at a hospital or local hub.
The initial list of conditions for NHS Online treatment includes:
- Eye conditions: Glaucoma, Medical retina (including age-related macular degeneration), and Cataracts.
- Women's health: Severe menopause symptoms and Menstrual problems (which can indicate conditions like endometriosis or fibroids).
- Prostate health: Prostate enlargement and a raised prostate specific antigen (PSA) level.
- Other chronic issues: Inflammatory bowel disease and Iron deficiency anaemia.
A "New World" for Patient Convenience
The plans were first unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a speech at the Labour Party conference in September 2025, where he declared a "new world is coming" for healthcare. The formal announcement from NHS England came on Monday, 5th January 2026.
Clinical leaders have welcomed the move. Professor Stella Vig, NHS England’s national clinical director for elective care, stated that providing "faster, more convenient access to diagnosis and treatments will have a real and positive impact on people’s lives."
Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director for women's health, highlighted the benefit for female patients, noting that NHS Online will make it easier for women to see a consultant from home without enduring a long wait for an in-person slot, helping them manage their daily lives more effectively.
The existing NHS App, which patients already use to order repeat prescriptions and view GP records, will be the gateway for these new video consultations. This development marks a significant step in the NHS's journey towards integrating digital tools into mainstream care pathways.
