Trust launches new text reminder service

The George Eliot Hospital is all set to launch a new text reminder system aimed at cutting the amount of missed outpatient appointments at the hospital.

A trial of the service will begin on Monday (2 November) for patients attending appointments for a few selected specialties. If successful, the scheme will be rolled out to all outpatient appointments.

From Monday, anyone who has provided the Trust with a mobile number and has an outpatient appointment for general surgery, oral surgery, orthopaedics or general medicine will receive a text, reminding them of the date and time of their appointment one week before they are due to attend the hospital.

Nigel Kee, Chief Operating and Nursing Officer, said: “This scheme aims to cut the number of missed appointments at the hospital by reminding patients a few days before they are due to attend. This will give them the option to inform us if they are unable to attend and therefore make the appointment available to someone else.

“People may have genuinely forgotten their appointment. However, if patients receive a text with their appointment details, it can act as a useful reminder.”

To help the process, all patients attending the hospital for an appointment or contacting the hospital regarding an appointment will be asked to give or confirm their mobile number. They will also be given the opportunity to opt out of the service.