Menopause and prostate conditions will be among the first priorities of the NHS’s revolutionary new “online hospital”, set to transform how patients access specialist care across England.
The NHS has identified nine common conditions that will be treated initially through NHS Online, a flagship digital service announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last autumn and now moving into its delivery phase. The service will allow patients to be triaged through the NHS App, consult specialists via video, and be monitored remotely from home; reducing unnecessary hospital visits and long waits.
NHS Online, expected to see its first patients in 2027, is central to efforts to modernise the health service. Officials say it will make care more personalised, convenient and equitable, helping to end the postcode lottery by digitally connecting patients with expert clinicians nationwide. While in-person appointments will remain available, the new model aims to make accessing care as simple as online banking.
The service is expected to deliver the equivalent of up to 8.5 million virtual appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times the output of an average NHS trust. It will build on existing digital innovations such as online prescriptions, test results and virtual GP appointments already used by millions.
Talking about online consultations when it was announced, Dr Nikita Kanani MBE, a GP and former medical director of primary care at NHS England explained that, “Online consultations are fantastic for patients. They allow people to describe their concerns in their own words, at any time, without battling phone queues. They also help practices triage requests efficiently. But they’re not a silver bullet; you still need staff and resources to make them work, and technology alone cannot solve all the pressures on appointments.
“Patients may not notice an immediate difference, but over time, all of this support should translate into practical improvements: fewer queues, quicker responses, and better care.”
Menopause, stigma and delayed support
Women’s health conditions, including severe menopause symptoms and menstrual problems that may signal endometriosis or fibroids, will be eligible for online referral. Kiran Singh, a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, midlife coach, and menopause wellness coach, in a previous conversation with Asian Voice, highlighted that research suggests South Asian women often experience menopause earlier than other ethnic groups.
“It’s often a combination,” she explained. “Genetics play a role, but chronic stress, inflammatory diets, lifestyle habits, and environmental toxins can all contribute. Many South Asian women are raised to put others first, which delays self-care and impacts hormonal health.”
She also addressed the cultural stigma around menopause. “Silence leads to shame. Many women feel like they’re ‘losing it’ or being dramatic when they’re actually going through a natural transition. Without the language or support, symptoms are internalised, misdiagnosed, and left untreated, deepening the sense of isolation and suffering.”
Perhaps quicker access to online help might turn things around for these women.
Prostate conditions fast-tracked
Prostate issues, such as prostate enlargement and raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, will also be prioritised.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, with around 55,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths each year. Urological cancers currently have the longest diagnostic waits of all cancer types, with just 29 per cent diagnosed within 28 days of urgent referral in recent years.
Previously writing for Asian Voice, Professor Prasanna Sooriakumaran, a leading urologist and prostate cancer surgeon said, “Prostate cancer is becoming a serious issue in the Asian community, especially for men in their 60s and older.
“The cancer is usually without any symptoms until it has spread to other regions of the body when it is too late for cure. Hence, it is vitally important to go looking for it rather than wait until it gives symptoms. The best way to do this is with regular blood tests for a marker called prostate-specific antigen (or PSA).
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the reforms would spare men months of anxiety caused by long waits for prostate investigations. “For too many men, a raised PSA result means weeks of uncertainty and stress,” he said. “These symptoms don’t always mean cancer and are often treatable but men deserve answers quickly, not months in limbo.”
Eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as inflammatory bowel disease and iron-deficiency anaemia will also be prioritised.
Patients will be offered NHS Online when referred by their GP for specialist care. Consultations will take place through the NHS App, while tests, scans and procedures will continue at local healthcare sites. Clinicians will review results remotely, allowing patients to move more quickly from referral to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
