Patients at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital are being urged not to mistake new NHS text messages for scams as the hospital introduces a new digital appointment system.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has begun rolling out a new Patient Engagement Portal that will allow some patients to receive appointment offers and other updates by text message.
As part of the new system, patients waiting for appointments in selected clinics may receive a text offering them an earlier slot if one becomes available. They will be able to book the appointment by following a link included in the message.
The trust says the rollout has begun with a small number of specialties before being expanded across more services during the rest of the year.
With text message scams becoming increasingly common, hospital bosses are keen to reassure patients that messages sent from the mobile number 07860 039 092 are genuine.
The texts are being sent on behalf of the trust by its digital communications partner, DrDoctor, and patients can safely click on the links contained within them to manage their appointments.
The trust says the new system is designed to improve communication with patients and make it easier to fill cancelled appointments, helping people be seen sooner where possible.
Existing appointment reminder texts will continue to be sent separately. These messages will come from 07786 209254 or may appear on phones as ‘NHSNoReply’.
Hospital bosses are encouraging patients to be aware of the official numbers so they do not mistakenly delete legitimate NHS messages.
The introduction of the Patient Engagement Portal is the first stage of a wider programme to modernise how Bedfordshire Hospitals communicates with patients, with additional features expected to be introduced over the coming months.
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