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Fyeo, a txt msg from yr doctor*
THE familiar sound of an incoming text alert has most people eagerly scrambling for their phones. A little parcel of pure intimacy. Who could it be?
But this week Camden residents got a bit of a shock when they found in their inboxes the message: “U R FAT – want help? ;-)”
Well, not quite. But that’s how it felt to some patients who received this text from their GP: “Do you want help losing weight? A study funded by NHS Camden is NOW RECRUITING!”
One 31-year-old woman, a patient at the James Wigg Practice in Kentish Town, said: “It was a bit of a shock because you’re not really prepared for it – it’s not like a doctor’s letter that is clearly marked and official.
“At first, I was offended. I thought: are they saying I’m fat? But then I realised it might help me. I prefer to receive texts as they’re easily accessible and I’m less likely to lose them than a letter.”
The text, sent to patients wishing for help with slimming, invited them to take advantage of a weight management trial organised by the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Gower Street, Bloomsbury.
Thousands of texts are being sent to patients in a scheme funded by NHS Camden. Surgeries have been licensed to contact individual patients with “healthcare specific text messaging”.
Patient Care Messaging has been launched to remind patients about appointments and to provide information about important NHS services.
At-risk groups are being contacted about picking up the swine flu vaccine, protection against the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia and services for cardiovascular disease.
Peppy Begueria, deputy practice manager of Prince of Wales Group Practice, said: “We are delighted with the text service. It has definitely reduced our DNAs [did not attend] by a substantial amount. Patients often comment on how helpful it is that they are reminded of their appointments by text. We would definitely recommend this service.”
The text messages are free to receive – but if patients choose to respond, they will be charged the normal rate.
Kevin Hunter, NHS Camden clinical standards and governance manager, said texts were the “perfect first step towards building a mobile relationship” with patients. “We have an ethnically and socially diverse population and many of them use mobile phones,” he added. “We look forward to using this service to support health promotion initiatives.”
*For your eyes only, a text message from your doctor. |
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