Sligo University Hospital has launched a two-way text messaging reminder service for patients who have out outpatient appointments at the hospital.
The service will enhance patient engagement and reduce missed appointments by engaging with patients via text, allowing them to confirm or cancel appointments directly.
The HSE says the two-way text messaging service is a secure and simple to use and a step up from one-way systems.
The service sends a text message reminder to the patients’ mobile ahead of an appointment.
On receipt, patients can note the reminder and confirm or cancel the appointment.
Patients will receive initial outpatient details, via letter, before the first text message reminder is sent to them ten days before the scheduled appointment.
Upon receiving the text messages, patients should reply ‘Y’ to confirm attendance and ‘N’ to confirm they will not be attending.
Patients who do not respond or who respond with an “N” will be contacted to reschedule their appointment, or to remove them from the waiting list if the appointment is no longer required.
