The NHSX , which is in charge of technology in the NHS in the United Kingdom , was researching for an app to help fight the 2020 coronavirus pandemic .
Matthew Gould , chief executive of NHSX , said the organisation was looking seriously at a coronavirus app that would alert people if they had recently been in contact with someone testing positive for the virus after scientists advising the government suggested it `` could play a critical role '' in limiting lockdowns.  late March , it was announced that the NHS would be establishing a network of NHS Nightingale Hospitals , temporary emergency hospitals set up in major conference centres to help to deal with the large number of cases expected .