Hospital introduces patient reminder system (From Times Series)

Hospital introduces patient reminder system

11:50am Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Top Stories By Emma Phippen

Patients at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals will no longer have to worry about missing appointments as the trust has launched an appointment reminder service.

The service, which involves patients receiving a text message appointment reminder, aims to reduce the number of no-shows which currently stands at around 4,500 a year.

Currently patients who miss their appointments cost the trust nearly half a million pounds a year.

Patients will now receive a free text message about a week before their appointment, and another on the day itself.

The message will offer the option for the patient to cancel or rearrange their appointment.

Patients who do not have a mobile phone will receive automated messages to their landlines.

Patients can choose to opt out of the system at any time.

Nicola Aristodemou, team leader in central appointments, said: “This is a fantastic new service that will benefit not only the patient who receives the message, but also all other patients, whether they were already scheduled to be seen on that day, or can be given the option to take up a vacated appointment slot.

“The money that services will save as a result of this is also of huge benefit to us.”