The latest phase of the waiting list validation work being carried out by NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) will see local patients who have currently waited over 26 weeks for an inpatient or day case procedure contacted by text.
The messages from mobile number 07860 039092 will begin on Monday 14 April and will prompt patients to complete a short survey asking if they still need their appointment, followed by a few questions to confirm their identity. People who are answering the survey on behalf of someone else must provide the patient’s details at this stage.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Director of Acute Services, Vicki Campbell, explains:
“NECU supports local NHS Boards to make sure that the information held on NHS Scotland waiting lists is accurate, helping us to prioritise care and reallocate any appointments or operations that are no longer needed to others on the waiting list.
“If you are waiting for an inpatient or day case procedure within NHS Ayrshire & Arran, please do not ignore this message. Click on the link in your message to complete the survey and follow the simple instructions.
“We want to reassure our patients that the information gathered will only be used to manage our waiting lists, and all information shared will be kept safe and secure.
“This service has been used by a number of boards in recent years and has been extremely successful in determining, not only if the appointment or procedure was still required, but in prioritising urgent cases.”
This service is delivered in partnership with the digital solutions provider, DrDoctor. Patients will receive a text message from the NHS Scotland National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) on mobile number 07860 039092. For more information on the waiting list validation text message service, visit https://www.nhsaaa.net/services/services-a-z/waiting-list-validation-information-for-patients/