In a bid to streamline communication with patients, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GWH) has begun sending out letters to residents, prompting some to express concern over potential scams.
The Trust is now urging patients who utilise their outpatient services to confirm their mobile phone numbers and email addresses, allowing them the option to receive digital appointment letters.
In the coming weeks, patients may receive a brief text message from GWH, asking them to share their email address through a secure link to the Patient Portal, managed by a partner organization known as DrDoctor. The text will originate from the phone number 07860 039 092; patients are advised to save this number alongside the name Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to ensure they recognize future communications.
This initiative is geared towards gathering contact information from patients who wish to transition to receiving their appointment letters digitally. As part of this effort, patients may encounter messages through various channels—text, email, and postal mail—before a more unified approach is implemented, allowing patients the option to receive information solely via email in the future.
Importantly, those who prefer to receive paper letters can continue to do so and are under no obligation to share their email addresses.
Digital appointment letters offer a convenient solution for patients, enabling them to view and download their letters online via a secure link sent by GWH. These letters will be stored on the DrDoctor Patient Portal, accessible on smartphones, computers, or tablets, without the need for an account or software download.
If a patient does not access their digital letter within three days, a paper letter will be dispatched automatically.
Calne Town Councillor Sam Pearce-Kearney responded to the community's concerns after observing discussions on social media. “I contacted the hospital after seeing comments on Facebook,” he stated. “I can confirm that these messages are genuine and part of the hospital’s attempt to reduce the use of paper letters. I believe the wording could’ve been clearer, and I will work with the communications team on future messages in my role as Governor at the hospital.
"Remember to always check that the link ends in nhs.uk before clicking on it to keep yourself safe.”
The Trust’s initiative aims to enhance patient experience by embracing modern communication methods while maintaining the option for traditional correspondence.
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