Which NHS App and NHS links must be on your practice homepage?
By Sreeni, Editor · Last reviewed 20 October 2026 · 5 minute read
The links you need
The GP contract (regulation 73(5A) and (5B)) lists three links that must be “displayed prominently on the home page”. NHS England’s GP IT operating model adds the NHS App.
| Link | Where | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Your online consultation tool | Prominently on the homepage | GP contract, regulation 73(5A) |
| The NHS symptom checker (NHS 111 online) and self-care information on nhs.uk | Prominently on the homepage | GP contract, regulation 73(5A) |
| NHS England's patient guidance, You and your general practice | Prominently on the homepage | GP contract, regulation 73(5A) |
| A link to download the NHS App | Prominently on the homepage | GP IT operating model |
| Every core NHS App feature: online consultation, prescriptions, record access, appointments, registration and messages | On the website, where patients look for each task | GP IT operating model |
Check your You and your general practice link today
NHS England published an updated version of You and your general practice on 19 October 2026, at a new address. If your homepage links to an older address, patients may now get a “page not found” error. Click your link and check it opens the guide, and update it if it doesn’t.
The guide tells patients what to expect from their practice: how to contact you, what happens when they ask for an appointment, what to do when you’re closed, and how to give feedback. It’s available in 20 other languages.
Linking to the NHS App
The operating model asks for links to all the core NHS App features that are available on the NHS website version of the app: online consultation, prescriptions, record access, managing appointments, GP registration and patient messages. The simplest way is to link each task page (prescriptions, test results, appointments) to the right part of the app, and explain in plain words what patients can do there.
- For the download link, send patients to nhs.uk/nhs-app, which works on any phone, or use the official App Store and Google Play badges.
- For patients on a computer, the NHS App also works in a web browser at nhsapp.service.nhs.uk.
- NHS England’s NHS App toolkit has approved website wording and images you can use.
How to make them prominent
The regulations don’t define “prominently”, but NHS England’s benchmark gives a good test: patients should be able to start their top tasks from links near the top of the homepage, without scrolling far or opening a menu.
- Put task links in the top third of the homepage, not in the footer.
- Use plain words: “Ask for help online” rather than the online consultation supplier’s brand name.
- Don’t hide links behind pop-ups, sliders or rotating banners.
- Make the urgent help link (NHS 111 and 999) easy to see on every page.
Questions
What is You and your general practice?
NHS England's guide for patients on what to expect from their GP practice and how to help it. The GP contract requires a prominent link to it on your homepage. NHS England published an updated version on 19 October 2026.
Does the NHS App link have to be on the homepage?
NHS England's GP IT operating model says a prominent link to download the NHS App should be on the homepage, and that the website should link to every core NHS App feature.
What counts as prominent?
The regulations don't define it. A good test is whether patients can see the link near the top of the homepage without scrolling far or opening a menu.
Correct as of October 2026. This guide reflects the GP contract and NHS England guidance at that date. Contracts and guidance change, so check the latest from NHS England and the BMA (linked above) before acting on it.
This guide is general information, not legal or contractual advice.