Use Whatsapp for emergency situations, says NHS guidance

 The NHS has told staff to use Whatsapp internet messaging to communicate during emergencies.

Medics have already turned to encrypted communication apps to deal with emergencies such as the 2016 Croydon tram crash, and last year’s Grenfell Tower fire as well as terror attacks at London Bridge and in Manchester.

The new guidance will help NHS organisations and staff make a judgment on how and when to use instant messaging safely in acute clinical settings, taking into account data-sharing and data privacy rules.

Staff will also be advised to keep separate clinical records and delete original messages once any advice has been transcribed in the patient’s medical record.

Dr Simon Eccles, clinical information officer for Health and Care, said: “Helping people during a crisis like the Grenfell fire demands a quick response and instant messaging services can be a vital part of the NHS toolkit.”