From Tuesday 15 October, patients at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Trust will receive appointment reminders via the NHS app.
This change means that patients will primarily receive updates about appointment on the app. If a notification is unopened after eight hours, they will receive a follow-up SMS text from a system called ‘DrDoctor’.
Currently, patients receive a text from a mobile number – this is DrDoctor. By including the NHS app in the notification process, patients can be assured that the communication is legitimate.
This includes notifications about changes or reminders about their hospital appointments, documents, or questionnaires (e.g. cancelled or upcoming appointment or incomplete questionnaire), and broadcast messages (for example department temporary closure).
By including the NHS app in the notification process, patients are also less likely to miss reminders and important updates to their care.
This new process will also help to reduce costs.
Patients who wish to receive notifications and messages via the NHS App will need to ensure they have enabled notifications for the NHS App on their mobile device, and on the NHS App as well.
There are currently several departments not yet using the NHS app for appointment updates. These include:
- Midwifery
- Obstetrics
- Neurology
- Neuro Surgery
- Paediatric Nephrology
- Palliative Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
For help with registering and using the NHS App, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/nhs-app-account-and-settings/
Please note: Patients who prefer paper letters can still receive their letters by post as usual.
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