The NHS app represents more than a technological upgrade—it embodies the cornerstone of Britains Long Term Plan to modernise healthcare delivery. As EU member states roll out their digital wallet initiatives, including the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) as part of the eIDAS 2.0 regulation, projections show 80% adoption by 2030. In this context the NHS app stands ready for the UK to move ahead towards the next evolution: transformation into a comprehensive digital health wallet built on Solid technology.
This transformation comes at a crucial moment, as highlighted in the Tony Blair Institute’s recent report, (Preparing the NHS for the AI Era) The current NHS app, already providing test results and doctor’s communications, lays the groundwork for a more ambitious vision: a complete reimagining of how citizens engage with their health data through digital wallets.
The impact of this shift extends far beyond simple digitisation. When patients access their full medical records through digital wallets, they gain unprecedented autonomy over their healthcare journey. This transformation enables clinicians to deliver more informed, personalised care while establishing the foundation for AI-driven innovations in predictive diagnostics and tailored treatments.
The Greater Manchester pilot program has already demonstrated the tangible benefits of this approach. By implementing secure, patient-centred systems, the program transformed care delivery for vulnerable groups, particularly dementia and elderly care patients. Healthcare teams accessed personalised insights and patient preferences through secure digital means, enabling more compassionate and effective care delivery.
However, the choice of underlying technology for this digital transformation proves crucial. While proprietary, centralised systems risk vendor lock-in and reduced public control, the Solid wallet technology—pioneered by Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee—offers a decentralised, open- standard approach that aligns perfectly with NHS values of equity and accessibility. This technology choice mirrors the successful implementation seen in Belgium’s Digital Flanders initiative, where citizen-controlled data wallets have fostered public trust and system resilience.
Looking to historical precedent, London has long led healthcare data innovation and standardised approaches to science. From Dr. John Snow’s cholera mapping to Charles Booth’s systematic social analysis, the city pioneered data-driven public health initiatives. Today’s Solid wallets represent a natural evolution of this tradition, enabling sophisticated health data mapping while maintaining individual privacy and control.
The foundation of this digital transformation rests on trust. Patients require more than mere reassurances—they need systems that empower them to view, shape, and control their health data. Through Solid wallets, the NHS can provide individuals with intuitive tools to manage data sharing with specialists and GPs while maintaining rigorous security standards.
For those managing long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, digital wallets enable seamless collaboration between patients and care teams. This technology allows for treatment plans based on complete, up-to-date information while supporting preventative healthcare through early risk identification and tailored interventions.
As the NHS stands at this pivotal moment, the path forward becomes clear. By evolving the NHS app with the standardised Solid-based digital wallet, the service can maintain its position at the forefront of healthcare innovation while preserving its core values of trust, equity, and accessibility. This transformation represents more than a technological shift—it embodies an ethical commitment to transparency and patient empowerment.
The future of healthcare in Britain hinges on decisions made today. As other European nations rapidly advance their digital wallet initiatives, the NHS must act decisively to evolve its digital infrastructure. Through careful implementation of Solid wallet technology, the NHS can reaffirm its role as a trusted, equitable healthcare system for all while leading the next generation of digital health innovation.
