iPLATO text messaging solution set to save NHS Millions

Figures released by the Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) today have indicated that an estimated 16 million GP appointments are missed every year in the UK. With research suggesting that the average cost of a missed appointment within general practice estimated at £18; this represents a collective loss of nearly £300 million to the NHS each year.

iPLATO has developed a text messaging solution specifically for the Health Care Service, which works by sending patients a text message reminder direct to their mobile phones. The solution, called Patient Care Messaging, has proven to reduce the DNA (did not attend) rate of GP surgeries by between 26% and 50 %.

The system which fully integrates to a GP’s booking system has been commercially available for the last two years and is currently being used in sites within twelve Primary Care Trusts. Despite the proven success in reducing the number of missed appointments, Patient Care Messaging has yet to be recognised centrally by the NHS as a cost effective and scalable solution to this growing problem. iPLATO is committed to improving Health Care through technology and innovation.

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Notes for Editors:

About iPLATO

iPLATO is a privately owned limited company founded in London in the autumn of 1999. In 2003, iPLATO was awarded a SMART Feasibility Grant by the Department of Trade & Industry to study the feasibility for national implementation of a system to remind outpatients about scheduled appointments using text messaging technology.

Since completing the study, the company has invested substantial resources towards overcoming the barriers to entry of the healthcare market and now provides successful healthcare solutions to NHS organisations throughout the United Kingdom - building a promising business around its flagship service ‘Patient Care Messaging’.

The European Venture Contest, organised by the European Commission, recognised iPLATO as one of the top ten early stage technology ventures ready to “reshape their industry and to conquer the global market” and featured on the Red Herring Europe Top 200 of companies to watch in 2006. iPLATO began 2008 with extensive (PCT funded) roll out of Patient Care Messaging to GP surgeries across 10 Primary Care Trusts.

Press contact:

Julia Hanley
020 3178 4676
julia.hanley@iplato.net
One Lyric Square,  W6 0NB, London, United Kingdom
www.iplato.net

Pictures available on request