Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has introduced new technology which allows patients to receive appointment letters directly to their mobile phone.
The Trust previously would send 744,000 letter by post, with an estimated cost of £75,000.
The new system means all outpatients who have registered a mobile phone number will receive appointment letters directly to their phone.
In 2017/2018 8.5% of the trusts appointments were missed, a total of 51,895 missed, equating to £8.3million. The trust hopes the new technology helps reduce this number.
Karen Partington, Chief Executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “This is an exciting opportunity for us to improve the safety, care and experience we provide to our patients. It will make the appointment process easier for our patients giving them all the information they need at their fingertips thanks to the really interactive system available. We also know that this has the potential to help usgenerate financial efficiencies through an anticipated reduction in missed appointments and postage charges.”
Patients will receive a text message with a unique PIN code to then access a secure link and view the appointment letter. As well as their appointment date and time the digital letter will also include pre-assessment instructions, essential reading and hospital information. Within one click patients will be able to confirm, cancel or arrange to rebook their appointment.
