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DHSC encourage patients to use text reminder service

Sat, 29 Jul 2017

The Department of Health and Social Care is urging patients to sign up for text reminders to reduce the chance of missing an appointment.

Almost 6,000 patients have signed up for outpatient appointment reminders since the service was launched in October last year.

The DHSC says those who don't receive reminders miss appointments 4.4% of the time, compared with 2.8% for those signed up to the service.

Texts are sent three days before appointments reminding the patient of the time and place of their appointment, giving them a chance to cancel or reschedule if the appointment is no longer needed.

Patients have to opt in to the service to receive texts, which can be done at either of the Island's hospitals, over the phone or through email.

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