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AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)

AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)

Check your symptoms now

64 ratings
116 reviews
💪 Health & Fitness
🏥 Medical
Free

Details

Released
April 11, 2017
Updated
January 23, 2026

Features

Developer

Sense.ly Corporation
✨Promote your app ✨
AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) screenshot #1 for iPhone
AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) screenshot #2 for iPhone
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AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) screenshot #4 for iPhone
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🔄4+ apps
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❓5 answered
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📦w/o updates
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About

This AI-powered symptom checker uses clinically validated medical intelligence to help you assess your condition. It provides insights into urgency, offers guidance on next steps, and supports informed healthcare decisions without replacing professional medical advice.

✓AI symptom assessment
✓Conversational symptom checking
✓Urgency assessment
✓Next step guidance
✓Supports healthcare decisions
Show original description

What users say about AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)

Reviews of AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) are mostly negative: the Medical app is rated 4.4/5 from 64 App Store ratings. What users like most: quick and efficient appointment booking, user-friendly interface for simple tasks. Top complaints: frequent crashes and 'Access Denied' errors, logging out mid-process without saving progress. Summarized from real user reviews.

Positive things

  • 🚀Quick and efficient appointment booking
  • 👍User-friendly interface for simple tasks
  • ⏱️Saves time compared to phone queues
  • 📱Easy to navigate once familiar with app
  • 🎯Provides appointment options and flexibility
  • 💪Reduces need for phone calls to surgery

Negative things

  • 🐛Frequent crashes and 'Access Denied' errors
  • 🔄Logging out mid-process without saving progress
  • ❌Poor age calculation and data handling
  • 😕Limited diagnostic capabilities beyond triage
  • 🔐Login and authentication issues
  • ⚠️Creepy and unnecessary avatar animations
  • 🚫No back button or ability to correct mistakes
  • 📊Generic questions that don't fit all conditions
  • 🔗Fails to connect with some GP surgeries
  • ⏳Slow performance and latency issues
  • 🎯Confusing navigation and unclear options
  • 👥Excludes users with multiple family members at same address
  • 🔄Repetitive questioning in loops
  • 📱Incompatible with older phone operating systems
  • 🌐Poor integration with NHS systems
See all reviews

What's New in AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)

4.0.1

January 23, 2026

Session data stored securely

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Doesn't work anymore

It just stopped working and you can't log in anymore
Yyeosnfuc

Poor

App doesn’t even work. Keeps opening a safari page to Google with a recapture logo and that’s it
MMogga89

Very limited, slightly worrying

This app seems to be aimed at assessing your need for immediate, urgent treatment, and not toward helping you get answers, even preliminary. More worrying, however, the app has not calculated my age correctly. I checked and triple checked I’d inputted my birthdate correctly, and nevertheless the app has decided I’m two years younger than I am - makes me doubt pretty much everything it says.
Show more
FFrondz45

Why do I have to down load this

Why do I have to download a whole app so I can talk to an ai bot that does not help at all and I end up having to call my go anyway
KKaaaaaaaaaaaaaath

Infuriating

Won’t let me log in with my NHS credentials, won’t recognise my Ask First username & password , won’t send a forgot password link. Useless.
LLouMatt18
See 111 more reviews

Developer apps

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User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

16 issues

App crashes with 'Access Denied' popup

Bug

Logs out unexpectedly mid-booking process

Bug

Age calculation incorrect despite correct birthdate input

Bug

Login credentials not recognized (NHS and Ask First)

Bug

Forgot password link not sent

Bug

Postcode validation rejects valid postcodes

Bug

Blank questions appear in symptom checker

Bug

Microphone input not recognized

Bug

App hangs and becomes unresponsive

Bug

Appointment booking fails after multiple attempts

Bug

Cannot change GP practice once linked

Bug

Flu vaccine option missing from some app instances

Bug

Virtual assistant misinterprets typed symptoms

Bug

Glitches before completing booking process

Bug

No record of appointment created despite confirmation

Bug

Incompatibility with older iOS versions

Bug
✨

Requested Features

15 requests

Back button to navigate and correct mistakes

Feature

Ability to save progress and return later

Feature

Preview available appointments before answering all questions

Feature

Support for multiple family members with same date of birth

Feature

Better integration with NHS records and existing systems

Feature

Option to speak with human advisor when chatbot fails

Feature

Unified NHS app combining all services

Feature

Improved virtual assistant with better AI and natural conversation

Feature

Review and edit answers before submission

Feature

Better accessibility features for visually impaired users

Feature

Ability to add more detail to symptoms and medical history

Feature

Support for prescription refills and medication management

Feature

Clearer indication of appointment availability upfront

Feature

Single login for multiple family members

Feature

Better support for women's health issues

Feature

FAQ

What does AskFirst do?

AskFirst is an AI-powered symptom checker that helps you assess your symptoms through a natural, conversational experience. It provides insights into the urgency of your condition and offers clear guidance on the next steps you should take.

What kind of symptoms can I check with AskFirst?

You can use AskFirst to check a wide range of symptoms including abdominal pain, back pain, cough, cold or flu symptoms, chest pain, dizziness, fever, headache, vomiting during pregnancy, rash, sore throat, and urinary symptoms. It can also answer general medical questions about whether to seek professional help.

Is AskFirst a replacement for a doctor?

No, AskFirst is a symptom checker and guidance tool only. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is designed to support better healthcare decisions by providing initial insights and guidance.

Is AskFirst free to use?

Yes, AskFirst is a free application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating it is provided at no cost to the user.

What should I do if I think I have a medical emergency?

If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should call emergency services immediately. AskFirst is a guidance tool and not intended for use in critical situations requiring immediate medical attention.