Darlington’s GP practices and adult-learning service are joining up to tackle a problem that can be easy to miss: online health services are only useful if patients have the skills and confidence to use them.
Learning & Skills Darlington has partnered with Darlington Network to add NHS App training to its digital skills courses. All 11 GP practices in the network will promote the support to patients who face barriers to getting online.
Practical skills, taught without pressure
The courses are free to most adults in the borough and start with everyday digital basics. Learners can get comfortable using a computer, managing files, word processing, browsing the internet and staying safe online in what the council describes as a friendly, low-pressure setting.
From September 2026, that foundation will include help to set up and use the NHS App. Sessions will cover practical tasks such as ordering or managing prescriptions, booking appointments and viewing health records.
Bringing the training into an existing course matters. Someone who is unsure about the app may also be dealing with a forgotten password, unfamiliar device or concern about online safety. Teaching the whole set of skills gives people time to practise rather than expecting a GP receptionist to solve every problem during a busy call.
Health access and wider confidence
Dr Alison McNaughton-Jones, director of Darlington Primary Care Network, said better digital capability can improve access to health information and support services. She also noted that confident app users can reduce avoidable administrative enquiries, leaving practice staff more time for urgent patient care.
The benefits can extend beyond healthcare. Basic online skills are now woven into job applications, education, household administration and keeping in touch with other people. Darlington Council deputy leader Chris McEwan said the could meet an immediate health need while also opening routes into adult education, employment and community connections.
None of this removes the need for services that work for people who cannot use digital channels. The project instead gives those who want to use the NHS App a supported route into it, with referrals coming from the GP practices that already know where the barriers are.
For Darlington residents who have felt left behind by the move online, the offer is practical: start with the basics, learn at a manageable pace and leave able to handle more of your health admin with confidence.
: Course content and partnership details were checked against Darlington Borough Council’s announcement of 12 August 2026. Image: Darlington Borough Council.