Appointment Information
University Hospital Kerry (UHK) operates a two-way SMS text messaging reminder service to enhance patient engagement and reduce missed appointments.
This service serves to remind outpatients of their upcoming appointments and allow them to confirm or cancel directly via text message.
Here’s how it works:
Initial Appointment Notification: Patients will continue to receive their initial outpatient appointment details via letter.
- First Text Reminder: Ten days before the scheduled appointment, patients will receive their first SMS Text reminder.
- Second Text Reminder: If there is no response to the first reminder, a second SMS Text reminder will be sent five days before the appointment.
Upon receiving the text message, patients should reply:
- ‘Y’ to confirm attendance.
- ‘N’ to indicate they will not be attending.
What Happens when you Do Not Attend & fail to Cancel?
DNA’s (Did Not Attend/Cancel) have a significiant impact on resources at UHK. They lead to wasted appointment slots that could have been used by another patient, resulting in longer waiting times for all other patients. They also lead to increased costs and wasted resources within the service.
For more information on the impact, see below:
