Islanders waiting for hospital appointments or procedures are to be sent text messages over the next two weeks asking if they still need them.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust hopes the new system will reduce 'growing' waiting lists.
From next Monday (23) to Wednesday, November 8, patients will be sent a text and they will be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire to confirm their need for a scheduled procedure or appointment.
Patients on specific waiting lists for over 12 weeks will receive a text message from NHS IOW, which will contain a unique 4-digit PIN.
The PIN, along with their date of birth, will enable a brief questionnaire about their upcoming appointment. Those on multiple waiting lists, will receive a notification for each one.
The trust said completing the questionnaire will help reduce waiting times by:
- Removing those who no longer require an appointment or procedure.
- Reducing the number of people who do not attend an appointment because they no longer require treatment.
- Enabling a more efficient booking service by reducing administrative phone calls.
If patients do not reply to the text, or there is no mobile telephone number on record, they will receive a letter by post instead, which contains a QR code to access the questionnaire.
If you do not have a smart phone or computer, and you do not access the initial link
within 24 hours, then you will be sent a postal letter which will contain a telephone
number.
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