Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to (a) increase digital health literacy and (b) ensure the adequacy of NHS vetting of health apps it is considering promoting to the public.

In September 2023, NHS England published a framework for action on digital inclusion to help the system design and implement inclusive digital approaches and technologies, including actions to build digital skills and capability among patients and National Health Service staff. Patients unable to use digital channels will continue to be able to access services via telephone and through traditional face to face services.

Health apps that are considered for public promotion should be assessed against the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria. This includes review of clinical safety, information governance, cyber security, interoperability and usability and accessibility. In addition, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has developed an Early Value Assessment, to assess digital health technologies, including apps, for clinical effectiveness.