Texts to tackle long hospital waiting lists

Efforts are being stepped up to tackle long waiting lists at the Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch hospitals.

Many non-emergency operations and procedures have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

2,500 patients are now being sent text messages to organise appointments.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS trust says it's working hard to prioritise its lists.

Patients are urged to respond to the messages, and should note:

• the communication will only ever ask questions relating to your care

• the hospital will never ask for bank details or reference to money or payment

• the hospital will never ask you for your name or address, however you will be able to update your details if they are not correct

• the message will include a unique pin and you will be asked to input your date of birth only to log in

• a business reply address in Macclesfield will be supplied – this is where the hospital team is collating your responses

Cardiology patients are among those being sent messages.

Steph McCormick, specialist nurse and cardiology service manager, said: “We know how long some patients have been waiting and we know how hard this can be.

"We are determined to do everything we can to help work through our waiting list as quickly as possible.

"Contacting patients digitally will enable us to do this as efficiently as possible so please do respond when you receive a message from University Hospitals Dorset.

"For those patients who we do not have digital contacts for, we will be sending letters in the post.”