From today (2 May), many patients will be able to receive appointment reminders via SMS as part of our Outpatient Portal, helping to reduce the number of missed appointments.

The UHD Outpatient Portal is an online resource for patients which can be accessed via computers or smartphones, and will eventually offer easy, secure access to a range of important information.

The system has already been used to send updates via SMS to patients. The new SMS messages will appear from +44 7860 039092 - patients may find it helpful to save this number in their phone.

The new reminders should lead to more efficient clinics and more patients being seen.

UHD is working with DrDoctor, a company which has helped many trusts launch similar services, and who are also supporting NHS Digital, the team behind the official NHS app.

It will be available to outpatients of most specialties. Towards the end of May, digital appointment letters are due to be available through the portal as well.

To make the best of the outpatients portal, it’s important that we hold up-to-date contact details for our patients, particularly mobile phone numbers. If your details have changed, please ensure you let staff know at your next appointment or call the number on your appointment letter.