Stepping Hill Hospital outpatients are about to start receiving patient letters direct to their mobile phone.

These new electronic patient letters will be issued to all outpatients who have registered a mobile phone number with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital and community services.

Currently, each year the trust sends over 100,000 outpatient appointment letters by post, costing over £1 each time.

During 2017/18, 8.2% of appointments were missed with an approximate cost of £160 for each missed outpatient appointment, despite reminders being sent.

It is hoped that the new service will help to reduce the cost of sending appointment details to patients, and reduce the number of missed appointments, as well as making booking appointments easier.

Any patient referred to an outpatient service who already has a mobile phone number registered on their patient record will receive a text message containing a unique 4-digit PIN and secure link to their appointment letter. As well as their appointment date and time, the digital letter also include pre-assessment instructions, and useful hospital information. Patients can access the link with their PIN number and date of birth. Within one click patients will be able to confirm, cancel or arrange to rebook their appointment.

 Once an appointment is confirmed this can also then be added directly into patients’ phone calendars to provide reminders. The digital letter can also be saved for later or printed off if needed too.

If patients don’t have a mobile phone, or their number isn’t registered with the hospital, a paper appointment letter will still be issued in the post. For paediatric patients, the child’s parent or guardian will receive the letter on their behalf.

Gill Burrows, Deputy Medical Director for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said “There are a number of advantages to the new electronic letter system. It should be a lot more user friendly for patients, and we hope to see a real reduction in missed appointments. At the same time, those who still want paper letters will have that option as well. Reducing our use of paper letters will be a saving for the trust, and better for the environment too.”

The new service is planned to start in April 2019. From this date, all new general outpatient appointments   where a mobile phone number is already registered will be issued using the new digital system. Existing appointments will not be affected.

Patients who prefer to receive a postal appointment letter will be able to opt out if they wish either by texting STOP in reply to a reminder text. Or if they wish to opt out of the service prior to receiving a text by ringing the Central Booking Team on 0161 419 4010.