Research and analysis

Reducing missed hospital appointments using text messages

A look at a cost-free approach to using text message reminders to minimise missed outpatient appointments.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 4 January 2016

Documents

A zero cost way to reduce missed hospital appointments

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This randomised controlled trial tested the effectiveness of the reminder message sent to outpatients.

The results showed that if the message included the specific cost to the NHS of not attending an appointment, the patient was more likely to attend or rearrange their appointment, rather than miss it.

Published 4 January 2016