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New Government Service to Link Patients with Charities at Diagnosis

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29 Sep, 2025by Julie GibsonHealth and social care, Information, advice and guidance

From 2026, the NHS App will offer patients with long-term conditions a direct route to trusted charities, making it easier to find advice and support at the point of diagnosis. 

What Is Diagnosis Connect? 

At its core, Diagnosis Connect ensures that when someone receives a diagnosis in primary care (for example, at a GP surgery), they’ll be connected digitally to trusted charities and support groups. While medical treatment through the NHS continues as usual, this initiative adds a direct route to non-clinical support — such as helplines, local groups, peer networks and tailored advice.  

The patient will receive a push notification or text via the NHS App with information about relevant charities, should they wish to explore further.  

Why This Matters 

  1. Support from the start: Rather than being handed brochures or left to search on their own, people will be guided to specialist help as soon as their diagnosis is confirmed.  
  2. Better outcomes, fewer crises: Early access to charity support can help prevent flare-ups, reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and improve quality of life.  
  3. Responding to complexity: Many people live with multiple long-term conditions. The system is designed to help those with overlapping needs by offering tailored connections.  
  4. Strengthening health-charity partnerships: This model acknowledges and formalises the role of civil society in health and care — making charity referral a mainstream component of the NHS care pathway.  

  • How and When It Will Roll Out 

  1. Start date and scale: The service is expected to begin in 2026, and in its first two years the plan is to support about 250,000 patients.  
  2. Initial focus areas: Early rollouts will target conditions such as diabetes, respiratory (lung) conditions and mental health. Over time, more conditions will be added.  
  3. Expansion beyond GP settings: Though it starts in primary care, the plan is for NHS teams across hospitals and other settings to also use the system to refer patients to charities.  
  4. Technology and the NHS App: The NHS App is central to the government’s 10-Year Health Plan, and Diagnosis Connect is one of several new digital features designed to increase patient control.  

In Summary 

Diagnosis Connect marks a significant shift in how NHS diagnosis pathways may work in future: not simply a medical moment, but a doorway into a blend of clinical care plus tailored community support. Read the Gov.uk press release from July 25 and what Digital Health say here.

By using the NHS App to connect people quickly and reliably to charities at diagnosis, the government is betting on more proactive, joined-up care. If delivered well, this could make a meaningful difference in the lives of many living with long-term health conditions. 

The NHS App is central to the government’s 10 year health plan, published on 3 July 2025, with plans for AI tools, mental health support and a feature enabling patients to browse and sign up to clinical trials.