Remember ur GP appt, GP text messaging service

Newham residents are to benefit from receiving GP appointment reminders and health information on their mobiles phones via text message. Newham Primary Care Trust (PCT) has funded 47 GP surgeries to launch and operate iPLATO Patient Care Messaging. This new service has already been rolled out in some GP practices in Newham.

The text messaging service aims to reduce non-attendance to booked GP appointments by giving people timely reminders. This service will also be used for informing patients about critical NHS services such as cancer screening and immunisation.

According to Imperial College researchers, non-attendance to appointments cost the NHS - and the tax payer - more than £750 million per year. The iPLATO system has proven to reduce non-attendance at booked appointments in General Practice by 26% to 40%. In addition to reaping financial benefits through increased efficiency, the PCT hopes to establish an effective communication channel for health information.

With an estimated 82% of the UK adult population owning a mobile phone, participating surgeries will be able to reach a significant number of their patients through this scheme. Text messages are free to receive for the patient. If patients choose to respond, they will be charged standard operator rates depending on their individual contract. To achieve optimal uptake of and benefits from this service surgeries encourage their patients to give their mobile phone numbers and make sure that their details are updated.

Dr Rafiq of Boleyn Road Medical Practice said: “Mobile phones are used by most of our patients and so text messaging is an effective way to communicate with them. This service has the potential to significantly increase the number of patients attending clinics as well as saving on surgery administration costs. We are encouraging our patients to give their mobile number at reception to take advantage of this new service.”

Dr Frances Haste, Acting Director of Public Health at Newham PCT and London Borough of Newham said: “We are excited about the opportunity to improve communication with our patients through innovative technology. The text messaging service will help to remind patients about their GP appointments and help promote health improvement initiatives. Newham PCT has developed guidelines to ensure that patient data is protected. Patients can opt out of the service at any time by simply telling their GP or any practice staff.”

-Ends-

Notes for Editors:

About Newham PCT

Newham Primary Care Trust (PCT) directly provides a range of primary and community health services, purchases healthcare on behalf of the local population and is responsible for developing GP, pharmacy, dentistry and optometry services. We directly employ around 1,300 staff based across 23 sites.

Contact for Newham Primary Care Trust:
Ian Thorpe, 020 8586 6329

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 Sqaure, W6 0NB, London, United Kingdom
www.iplato.net
Pictures available on request