Appointment reminder via text message
Every year, thousands of patients accidently miss their hospital appointment simply because they forget when it is.
We appreciate how busy people are and how easy it can be to forget an appointment or mislay an appointment card; however, patients not attending their appointments have a negative impact on the service the Trust provides.
Each missed appointment costs the hospital money in terms of the time the medical staff waste, but more importantly, it means that the slot cannot be offered to another patient.
It has been shown that sending appointment reminders significantly reduces the number of missed appointments; therefore, where appropriate the Trust will send a text to patients reminding them of their outpatient appointments.
Appointment Text Reminder Service – What does this mean for me?
Reminder calls and texts are provided to you free of charge.
If you have given your mobile number to any NHS Healthcare provider, we will accept this as implied consent that you agree for the Trust to use this number to contact you regarding your hospital appointments
An initial reminder is sent out seven days prior to the appointment, and then a final reminder sent again 24 hours before the appointment
As a matter of good practice, we would ask that you update us of any changes in your contact details; this will allow us to contact you in a timely manner. You can do this via your GP at time of referral, or follow-up patients can update their contact details with the clinic receptionist.
If we do not currently hold a valid mobile number on record for you then you may receive an automated telephone call instead of a text message.
What does this mean for me?
- Can I opt out of this process?
Yes, you can opt out of receiving reminder calls at any time. Just let us know when you book your appointment or when you are in the hospital.
- I have previously opted out of the text reminder service but now I wish to opt back in. How do I do this?
Speak to a member of the clinic reception team and request to be opted back into the service.
- I need to update my contact details with you. How do I do that?
We kindly ask that you notify the Trust of any changes to your contact details. Please contact the Booking Team on 01772 524555 or email us at Outpatient@lthtr.nhs.uk
- I am the parent/carer of a vulnerable child/adult – will I get a message? Can someone else receive my reminders for me?
If you are a parent, guardian or carer and we have your contact details on the patient’s electronic file, we will send the message to you. If the child/adult has their own contact details, we will send the message directly to them.
If you would like to update the contact information for the person you care for, please inform the receptionist at your next appointment.
- I have more than one appointment over the next few days / weeks. Will I receive more than one electronic reminder?
Yes, we will send one electronic reminder per appointment you have
- Will the text messages be private?
We will not send any sensitive information by text and we will not pass your telephone number on to any third party
