Labour has unveiled plans to revolutionize the way parents access and manage their children’s medical records by digitizing the NHS “red book” as part of a series of changes to the NHS app.
The red book, a personal child health record that has been distributed to new parents for the past three decades, will now be available in digital form, allowing parents and the NHS to easily track if children are up-to-date on vaccinations and checkups. Automatic notifications will prompt parents to schedule appointments, ensuring no child falls behind on essential healthcare.
This move comes as Labour aims to boost MMR vaccination rates, which have seen a decline in recent years, leading to a resurgence of measles outbreaks. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of digitizing the red book to improve children’s healthcare and protect them against preventable diseases.
In addition to digitizing the red book, Labour plans to give patients greater control over their healthcare through the NHS app. This includes access to medical records, notifications about screenings and vaccines, and information on expected care for long-term conditions like asthma and diabetes.
Labour leader Keir Starmer highlighted the party’s commitment to empowering patients and streamlining healthcare services. He emphasized the need for a modernized approach to healthcare, where patients receive timely notifications for preventive care and screenings to catch diseases early.
With these ambitious plans, Labour aims to usher in a new era of healthcare where technology plays a central role in improving access, efficiency, and outcomes for patients across the UK.