Sligo University Hospital introduce a two-way text reminder service for Outpatient Appointments

Sligo University Hospital (SUH) has launched a two-way SMS text messaging reminder service for patients who have outpatient appointments at the hospital. The new service will enhance patient engagement and reduce missed appointments by engaging with patients via text, allowing them cancel appointments/ reschedule directly.

The two-way SMS text messaging service is secure and simple to use and a step up from one-way systems. The service sends a text message reminder to the patients’ mobile ahead of an appointment. On receipt, patients are able to note the reminder.

Patients will receive initial outpatient details, via letter, before the first text message reminder is sent to them ten days before the scheduled appointment.

Here’s how it works:

1. Initial Appointment Notification: Patients will continue to receive their initial outpatient appointment details via letter.
2. First Text Reminder: Ten days before the scheduled appointment, patients will receive their first SMS Text reminder.
3. Second Text Reminder: A second SMS Text reminder will be sent three days before the appointment.

Upon receiving the text message, patients should reply:

• ‘No’ to confirm that they will not be attending.

Patients who respond with an “No” will receive another message asking whether a further appointment is required. They should respond with a “Yes” or “No” to this.

Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager, said: “We are introducing this service to make it easier for patients to remember their appointments and attend their outpatient appointments.
Appointment reminders significantly reduce the number of missed appointments. By improving clinic utilisation, we hope to shorten wait times for patients on the Outpatient Waiting List and enhance overall patient experience.

“We sincerely thank patients of Sligo University Hospital, for their co-operation with this new service.”