
Patients and Visitors |
Information for patients attending hospital Changes to Patient Visiting and Appointments |
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Staff |
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Community Supporters |
Patients and Visitors |
Information for patients attending hospital Changes to Patient Visiting and Appointments |
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Staff |
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Community Supporters |
On average, 1 in every 20 appointments is not attended. This has a detrimental effect on the overall capacity of our clinics and is a missed opportunity for another patient. Nationally, missed appointments are a great cost to the NHS each year. The two predominate factors for non-attendance are: patients who no longer wish to attend (but do not realise they need to alert the Trust) and patients who genuinely forget the time/date of their appointment.
The reminder system will address both these factors by reminding the patient of the time and date, and also giving them the option to cancel or rearrange if no longer required or inconvenient. The automated system will then contact other patients in an attempt to fill the recently vacated slot. By reducing the amount of wasted capacity, we are able to see more patients and reduce overall waiting times.
You will receive an automated phone call between seven and five days prior to your appointment. During this call you are able to confirm, cancel or rearrange your appointment.
In addition, mobile phone users will receive a text message within 48 hours of their appointment.
As a matter of good practice, we would ask that you update us of any changes in your contact details; this will allow us to contact you in a timely manner. You can do this via your GP at time of referral, or follow-up patients can update their contact details with the clinic receptionist.
No, you will automatically receive reminders unless you have already told us you don’t wish to receive them.
No, certain clinics where it might be required to have multiple appointments close together will not receive reminders.
If you would prefer to speak to one of our appointments team, you can arrange a call-back time and date during this call, which is convenient to you.
Reminder calls and texts are provided to you free of charge.
The provider of this service will not have access to any Trust systems, therefore no previous medical history or reason for your appointment will be shared. All calls are recorded for training and quality services.
Yes, you can opt out of receiving reminder calls at any time. Just let us know when you book your appointment or when you are in the hospital.