Text service reminds patients of cost of missed appointments

Hospital patients are being told missing a hospital appointment costs the NHS £100 each time in new text reminder service.[



Southport and Ormskirk hospitals have launched the service to help patients get to their appointments on time.

Text reminders are sent one week ahead of an appointment and again 48 hours before.

The text gives the date, time and place of the appointment and a contact number to call if the patient needs to cancel or rearrange.

Therese Patten, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Text reminders are a proven method of reducing the number of missed appointments, especially when they highlight the cost to the NHS. We know there are many reasons why people cannot attend appointments. All we ask is that patients let us know if they unable to attend.”

Patients unable to attend an appointment should let the hospital know as soon as possible so another patient can be given the slot. Appointments can be rearranged by calling 01695 656680 or emailing soh-tr.appointments@nhs.net.

Mobile telephone numbers will be used by the Trust only. They will not be passed to other parties. All personal information will be kept in line with the Data Protection Act and the Department of Health record retention guidance.

Anyone not wishing to benefit from the service can opt out. This can be done by texting STOP to 07841 920170 or 07841 920172; telephoning 01695 656680; emailing soh-tr.appointments@nhs.net. Names will be added to the opt out list within 21days.

And if that doesn't work, fine them!

Originally Posted by paulollie

And if that doesn't work, fine them!

Agree. It's so hard to get an appointment these days. If people just don't turn up they can't really need the appointment.

Great idea but they don't send out details of which hospital / clinic which doesn't help people under multiple hospitals , my missus attended, Fazakerly, Womens Hosp, Liverpool Royal, Ormskirk, Wrightington, Albert Edward (Wigan), Walton, Renacres, Fairfield & Southport within the last 5 years.