Book your own Hospital appointment online
NHS Digital will be sending information packs out this month to general practices explaining how patients can book their hospital appointments online.
The packs are designed to encourage patients to use the NHS e-referral service website. As well as booking, patients can also check, change and cancel appointments online without help from their practice. Each pack contains leaflets and posters for practice staff and patients. The national telephone appointment line will still be available for patients who prefer it.
The e-RS Manage Your Referral website is easy for patients to use. It allows them to book, check, change and cancel their appointments online without help from the practice.
Patients can take control and book their own appointment on a convenient date and time and at their preferred hospital or clinic if there is a choice. This means no more worried patients contacting the practice to find out what is happening with their appointment.
Better for Practices and the NHS. Encouraging patients to book their own appointments online can also save time and money for the practice and the wider NHS.
Over 40% of e-RS appointments are booked by practice staffMost of these patients could book their own appointments online. Encouraging patients to book their own appointments online could save practice time and the NHS money.
Did Not Attend rates halved when patients book their own appointments. This means patients are treated in a timely way and Practices do not need to refer these patients again.
Patients can manage their appointments 24/7. When patients book their own appointments they can check, change or cancel their appointment online any time of day, without contacting the Practice.
Only 27% of patients are aware they can book appointments online. Use the posters, leaflets and downloadable content for your waiting room TV to encourage patients to book their own appointments online.
Information packs
In May 2018, GP Practices which have a referral process which allows patients to book their own appointments online, will receive information packs to help them to encourage patients to use the online service.
The pack will include:
- A GP practice staff leaflet - : ‘NHS e-Referral Service: Putting patients in control of their outpatient appointments’
- A4 posters to display prominently in your waiting room.
You can also download a video to play in your waiting room.
A PowerPoint version is also available.
Click on the image to download the poster ...
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Click on the image to download the document - 2 pages ...
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