In 2008, Capita began to deliver NHS Choices, the main nhs.uk website. Our remit was to develop it into the health service’s digital front door for England, encouraging and helping people to take responsibility for their health, thereby reducing the burdens on the NHS. In addition to providing authoritative, evidence based information on conditions, treatments and services, it also enables citizens to rate and share their experiences of health services.

Our original target of seven million visits a month by 2011 was achieved two years early and in 2010 we had 100 million visitors making it one of the most popular NHS services. Our ongoing programme of functional development means that the nhs.uk website is at the leading edge of government provision, attracting new visitors and ensuring they return time and again. Meanwhile, we are eliminating duplication of effort – and cost – elsewhere by providing free syndicated content for NHS trusts’ local websites as well as a host of other organisations.

A research study in 2010 by Imperial College London: ‘Primary Care Consultation report’ showed that a third of those surveyed were unlikely to make a GP appointment after logging on to NHS Choices for health advice – a potential saving to the NHS of £44 million a year in unnecessary GP appointments alone.