 Each text message will cost the trust 6p to send |
An NHS trust in Surrey is to send text messages to outpatients to remind them of their appointments in an effort to help cut waiting lists. Last year more than 52,000 appointments were missed by patients at Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust, at a cost of between �60 and �120 each.
Managers have said it costs money and increases waiting times.
The new service will see texts being sent to patients' mobile phones a week in advance of their appointments.
Patients will be given a telephone number should they need to cancel or change their appointment.
Claire Euesden, general manager responsible for the initiative, said: "The primary reason patients miss appointments is because they forget.
"Often you can be booking outpatient appointments up to a year in advance and a lot can happen in a year.
"A text message is a simple reminder the patient can read at their own convenience."
Cheaper option
Each text message will cost the trust 6p and will be sent out using a computerised system.
The cost of sending patients a letter to remind them of their appointment would be 45p.
Patients will continue to receive a letter in the first instance informing them of the time, date and venue of their appointment.
The text message will be sent as a reminder seven to 10 days before the appointment is due.
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Often you can be booking outpatient appointments up to a year in advance
