Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Royal Free Hospital choose Text Messaging to Comply with Department of Health directives to manage out of hours Sexual Health Clinic appointments.

Royal Free Hospital choose Text Messaging to Comply with Department of Health directives to manage out of hours Sexual Health Clinic appointments.

The Royal Free Hospital in North West London has used funds from the NHS innovation Fund to implement an “Out-of-Hours” booking service for their Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) and Sexual Health clinics to provide a 24 hour appointment service that is totally confidential.

The application has been developed by Softcare Medical, a London based software developer and Healthcare Management Services Company with the assistance of Avanquest, the developer of the software and Computer Communications Limited, both based in Hampshire.

Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) and Sexual Health clinics specialise in the management and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Most also provide Chlamydia screening and Family Planning Services and are now, under recent Department of health Directives, required to offer all patients appointments within 48 hours. However, many patients are unable or unwilling to call or visit their local clinic during working hours, or, if they do, cannot get through telephone queues quickly enough.

Some clinics have reported up to 20 calls waiting!

Features include:

•Automatic booking of appointments over a 48 hour period.
•SMS text messaging to dedicated numbers.
•Collection of demand data for the Department of Health.
•Alternative clinic option (when no appointments are available).
•Web based interface.
•Special language and/or specialised services options.
•Compatibility with all leading GUM systems.

How it works:

•Patients are given a specific number to text.
•Callers are offered three appointments over 48 hours by text.
•Patient responds by selecting the most convenient appointment.
•Patient phone number used as temporary patient number.
•Appointment confirmed by text with booking reference.
•When patient attends, number and booking reference confirmed.
•Different phone numbers different clinics and services.
•Messages can include Postcode, sex, date of birth etc....

The system operates in two modes:

• Manually operated 24 Hour booking service. Operated by call centre and or text message, the system can provide a comprehensive booking service for all future appointments. Appointments may be booked by phone call, text message or by a browser interface. Booked appointments and available slots are uploaded from the system to the clinic software each half day.

• Automated out of hours booking service. The service operates when the clinic is closed by making available slots over the following 48 hours period available by SMS booking or via a web browser. Booked appointments and available slots are uploaded from the system to the clinic software at the start and end of each working day.

• Other options. The Template GUM system supports touch screen attendance recording and registration by patients.

Text Messaging is a convenient and fast means of communication and coupled with low cost and accuracy, makes sending a text message a unique and confidential means of communication.

Avanquest text messaging software brings, to the desktop, a tool that will integrate with any interface, including e-mail, without needing to deploy additional hardware.

For further info contact either:

Gilbert Pant, Chief Executive Officer, Softcare Medical Limited, 6 Lissenden Gardens, London NW11 1LX. www.softcaremedical.com 020 7482 8881

Dennis Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer Computer Communications Limited, Unit 37 Abbey Enterprise Centre, Romsey, Hants, SO51 9DF www.ccl.co.uk 0870 833 8047

Alison Hall, Public Relations, Avanquest UK, Sheridan House, 40-43 Jewry Street, Winchester, Hants, SO23 8RY http://corporate.avanquest.co.uk 01962 835053 ahall@avanquest.co.uk