AN URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE NEW FOLLY SURGERY
SMS appointment reminder messages sent to Patient’s Mobile Phones
“We have just been informed by NHS Mid & South Essex ICB that the system that sends SMS appointment reminders (to those patients with mobile phones) 24 hrs before each appointment HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. This is due to contractual issues between the NHS and the supplier. Therefore and for the time being, patients will not be sent their reminder text messages the day before their appointments. We therefore ask all patients to keep a record of all appointment times and dates.
The same goes for the option to Cancel an appointment on that SMS appointment reminder message.
Again we ask all patients to kindly contact the Surgery if you need to cancel your appointment. The option to cancel your appointment that is part of the SMS reminder message, that would normally cancel your appointment has also been withdrawn.
It is very important that you do make contact with us to cancel appointments so we can note this on the system and also offer the appointment to other patients at that time – we thank you for your support with this.
Practice Manager
New Folly Surgery”
