HEALTH chiefs in East Lancs have expanded their new text appointment service for more patients.

All new pre-op assessment, elective admission, therapy and MSK (musculoskeletal) appointments will now be being sent direct to the patient’s mobile phone, replacing the traditional printed appointment letter.

Existing appointments will not be affected.

John Bannister, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust's director of operations, said: "The new system greatly improves the patient’s experience, patients can confirm, cancel or arrange to rebook their appointment with one click.

“Once confirmed, the appointment can be added directly into the patient’s digital calendar, saved on the patient’s phone or forwarded it to their email for printing.”

Patients receive a text to their mobile phone with a secure link and a four-digit code.

To access the letter patients click the link to their secure access page, enter the code and date of birth and their appointment letter appears.

As well as the appointment date and time, the letter also includes pre-assessment instructions, essential reading and important hospital information.

Bosses say the system is safe and secure and can only be accessed with the code and the patients’ date of birth.

As an extra security measure, if the link isn’t accessed within 24 hours the electronic letter will be deleted and a paper letter sent.

If patients don’t have a mobile phone, or their number isn’t registered with the hospital, a paper appointment letter will be issued in the post.

Patients who prefer a postal appointment letter should tell hospital admin staff who will update the communication preference on the patient’s hospital record.