Patient Portal: My Online Care
At University Hospitals Dorset, we have partnered with DrDoctor, an innovative platform designed to enhance how we connect and communicate with our patients. This partnership reflects our commitment to improving patient experience and streamlining care pathways.
The DrDoctor Patient Portal is a secure and convenient digital solution designed to enhance your experience as a patient.
Through DrDoctor, you can manage your appointments, attend video consultations and access important information about your care. You will also be able to receive communication form our outpatients' teams regarding appointments availability, major disruptions to the service that may affect your appointment.
Access our video consultations page here
What do patients need to do?
Note: You will only be able to receive text message notifications if we have your mobile phone number on our system. It's essential that UHD holds up-to-date patient contact details, especially mobile phone numbers – you can check we have the latest details with the reception team at your next outpatient appointment.
You may also wish to add +44 7860 039092 to your phone address book and call it "UHD Hospital" so it's clear when messages from the outpatients' team arrive.
Trialling a new way for patients to manage their appointments.
Throughout December 2025, we are piloting automated appointment cancellation and rescheduling at 11 outpatient clinics. If you are a patient of one of these clinics you will soon be able to cancel or reschedule your appointments via SMS, email, and by logging into the DrDoctor patient portal.
This is to help with our patients communicate quickly if there is a need to change or cancel an appointment and make best use of our clinic time and reduce do not attend wasted time.
- You can easily change or cancel your appointment
Patients can reschedule or cancel booked appointments using a secure link sent via SMS or email, without needing to call the hospital. - You’ll see real-time appointment options
When rescheduling, patients are shown live availability of alternative appointment slots, making it easier to find a time that suits them. - Your changes are instantly updated in hospital systems
Any rescheduling or cancellation is immediately reflected in the hospital’s records ensuring accurate records and freeing up slots for others. - You stay in control, but staff can step in if needed
While the system is patient-led, hospitals may review or approve changes for certain high-priority appointments. - Fallback options are in place
If no suitable slot is selected or the rescheduling process isn’t completed, the system ensures the original appointment is retained or flagged for manual follow-up by staff. - Your data is handled securely and reliably
The system uses bi-directional integration with hospital systems and maintains a full audit trail, ensuring the appointment data is safe and traceable.
Keep up to date with the national NHS App roadmap >> NHS App Roadmap - NHS England Digital.
Functionality may vary across the county and from your local NHS services. NHS Dorset will keep you updated with news, and to find out more, head here.
Opting out
If you do not wish to use the text messaging or online system, you can continue to be contacted by letter and can telephone our call centre to rearrange your appointment.
While it is hoped most patients will appreciate the convenience, speed and security of the portal, it is simple for those who wish to opt out to do so.
Any patients who would like to opt out of using the patient portal can do so by texting STOP to text messages they receive, by logging into the portal and opting out via the settings, or by contacting the outpatient booking team using details on appointment letters. Patients who opt out will continue to receive letters, and be able to reschedule or decline appointments by phone.
The NHS app
We are proud to be integrated with the NHS App, joining several other NHS trusts across England in providing patients with a more seamless way to manage their healthcare. You can now use the NHS App to view both GP and hospital appointments in one place, access a single point of contact for each appointment, and request changes or cancellations in eligible specialities.
What does this mean for you?
If you already use the DrDoctor portal to manage your UHD appointments, you can continue to do so—or you can choose to use the NHS App. Both options provide a secure and convenient way to manage your care. For more information about the NHS app, click here.
Support and queries
If you have any queries about how University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust uses your personal data, please see our Privacy Notice here.
For any queries about DrDoctor, including accessing the portal and how to use it, please see the DrDoctor FAQs here.
Alternatively, you can contact the Outpatient Booking Team using the details on appointment letters.
