Hospital launches new appointment reminder service for patients

The Countess of Chester Hospital has launched a new text and email reminder service which aims to reduce the number of missed appointments.

A dedicated service will be available to all in-patients and out-patients to remind them at regular intervals before their appointment so that patients don't have to rely on their calendars or diaries.

Time is valuable to both patients and staff at the hospital and the increasing number of appointment slots going to waste is an issue that the Trust is trying to address.

Across the NHS over 6.5 million outpatient appointments are lost each year (27,400 at the Countess), costing hospitals in the UK over £600m.

The Countess is taking the initiative in the battle against Did Not Attends (DNAs) by launching their innovative Remind Me service which provides patients with a text and email reminders. The service will remind patients 2 weeks, 1 week and 1 day before they are due for an appointment. The service will also allow patients to rearrange appointments which are scheduled inconveniently.

Craig Brothwood, Lead Transformational Practitioner said: "The new service will provide patients with a quick and easy way of managing their appointments and allow the hospital to perform more efficiently and effectively."

Joe Downie, Access Manager, added: "This new service is a modern approach for communicating with patients and it gives them the opportunity to keep updated about their appointments while on the move. Our aim is to make the appointment process as simple and convenient as possible for our patients."

The Countess is eager to remind patients that they have complete control over the care they receive at the Countess and that they are under no obligation to go through with any procedures. However it is of vital importance that patients let the hospital know if they wish to cancel their appointment so that they do not go to waste. The Countess requests that patients advise the Admissions Team 48 hours in advance of their procedure on 01244 364450 if they wish to cancel so that other patients can benefit, or for outpatient appointments call 01244 366663.