Text Messaging Policy
Mobile phones have opened up a new avenue for communication between the practice and our patients. The immediate delivery of text messages gives an advantage over other forms of communication and has wide accessibility.
There are a number of scenarios in which text messages are very useful:
- Appointment reminders
- Flu vaccination reminders
- Child immunisation reminders
- Making you aware of changes to clinics or services in the practice
- Opportunity to receive feedback on practice services
- Informing you of test results or other information relevant to your care
The usefulness of text messaging depends on having reliable data. We will check mobile telephone numbers as often as we can but we ask that you let the practice know as soon as your mobile telephone number changes.
Mobile telephone numbers can be updated by completing the change contact details form (click here), by calling reception or talking to the receptionists in the practice.
Please let us know as soon as your mobile telephone number has changed.
Communicating with you
The practice will send texts to the mobile telephone number that has been provided. Written and posted letters are rarely used.
The practice uses 2 text messaging services: Mjog used for Appointment Reminders and AccuRx used for personalised messages.
You are responsible for ensuring that the mobile phone number given is correct and up to date.
Opting In
Please complete the Communication Consent Form (click here) to Opt In to receiving text messages from the practice.
Opting Out
We understand that some patients will not want to receive text messages from the Practice. We ask that you carefully consider the advantages of receiving these messages before choosing to opt-out.
If you are clear you wish to opt out please advise us online via Engage Consult (click here), you can either create an account to contact the surgery regularly, or use as a guest for a one time contact.
You can also inform the reception team indicating your name and mobile telephone number.
When this request has been processed, no more text messages will be sent to that mobile.