DrDoctor

We’re using a new text message and online form service to ask you if you still need your appointment.

Many patients have been waiting a long time to receive the treatment they need due to the covid-19 pandemic and we are working hard to see patients as quickly as possible.

To help us understand if patients’ circumstances have changed over the last year, we are using a new service. This text message service allows us to ask patients if they still need their appointment with an online question.

We have partnered with our digital solutions provider, DrDoctor to provide this service.

How it works

• If you are waiting for an appointment, we'll send you a text message from 07860039092 asking you to respond to an online form.
  
  
• Follow the link in the text message to drdoctor.thirdparty.nhs.uk link in your message to answer the question about if you need your appointment
  
  
• Once you've responded, we'll ask you to enter your name and date of birth.
  
  
• Depending on your response, you will either remain on our waiting list or we'll be in touch again in the coming weeks with information on next steps.
  
  

  Please note your comments will only be used to manage our waiting lists and may not be reviewed by a clinician.

  
  If you have a medical problem or concern, and are unsure what to do, please contact your usual healthcare provider (e.g. your GP, pharmacist or NHS 111) directly

Frequently asked questions

• Is the link in the text message trustworthy?
  
  

  The drdoctor.thirdparty.nhs.uk link in your text messages are trustworthy and are delivered by our partner DrDoctor.
  
  DrDoctor is accredited to the highest standards set by the NHS for protecting the healthcare information of UK citizens. For more information, see the NHS Data and Protection Toolkit certification and DrDoctor’s privacy policy.

• Why are you asking for my date of birth?
  
  

  After you have answered the question, we will ask you to confirm your date of birth so the booking team can confirm that the text message was sent to the right person.
  
  If the date of birth you give is different from the date of birth we have on record for you, we will be able to see this and follow up with you as appropriate.

• I gave the wrong answer - what do I do?
  
  

  If you have answered the question wrong, do not worry you can go to answer the question again and you will find information about who to contact.

• Does it cost me to reply to a text message?
  
  

  Text message replies will be free if you have a text message bundle with your provider otherwise you will be charged at your provider’s standard rate.
  
  You can change your digital letter setting online for free by following the link in your text messages or clicking here.