You may have received a text message from us to confirm if you need your appointment.

To help shorten long patient waiting times and ensure that appointment and procedure slots are available for those who need them, we are contacting patients on our waiting list, asking you if you still require your appointment.

The below frequently asked questions will help you to understand why you have received a text and what you need to do.

We are aware that many of our patients have been waiting a long time for their appointments. Using SMS text messages to ask patients whether they still need their appointment has helped us to quickly shorten waiting times for those who do need care. To ensure our records are up to date, you may receive this message every 10 weeks.

If we don’t receive a response from you, you will remain on the waiting list. We do not remove patients from the waiting list unless they ask to be removed.

You will be directed to click on a link in the SMS where you can complete a simple questionnaire. Respond with ‘Yes’ if you want to remain on the waiting list, or ‘No’ if you no longer require your appointment. Depending on the service you require, you may be offered additional options. You will require internet access on your phone to do this

If you can't use your phone to click on the link, you can still respond on a computer, iPad or tablet. To do this, type your unique link from the text into the URL address bar of your internet browser. Your link address will start with “https://accurx.nhs.uk/”, with the rest of the link being unique to you only.

This is to confirm your identity and make sure the response we receive is sent by you.

At George Eliot Hospital, we are using the communication software provider Accurx to contact patients via SMS text messages instead of relying on posted letters and busy phone lines. Accurx is certified to NHS and government standards and will not misuse or sell your personal details. For more information on how Accurx keeps your data safe, visit www.accurx.com/security