Since 2019, there has been increasing use of SMS messaging to patients which has had many benefits over time including:
- Sending leaflets eg exercise leaflets to patients (saves printing costs (toner, paper +/- admin))
- Informing of test results / invite for test (saves admin, printing and postage)
- Reminders for screening (saves admin, printing and postage)
- Pathways automates reminders (saves, admin, search generation, printing, postage)
The costs of SMS fragments have increased exponentially with some practices, per 1000 patients, using 400 times more SMS fragments that others.
To enable better SMS usage SMS fragments will soon be capped and practices are encouraged to look at alternatives such as:
- Sending messages as emails rather than SMS
- Encouraging NHS App uptake so that messaging can be delivered through the NHS App
Here are some resources:
If SMS messages are being sent, the one way to reduce costs is to shorten the length of the message and not use special characters such as emojis.
Some practices have offered templates that can be shared with other practices to identify areas where they have reduced fragment costs.
Here are some you could review at your practice and if you have any others that could be added to this list, please get in touch using the feedback button on the right side of the page.
| Name of SMS | Text Details | Import Link |
|---|---|---|
| Online Consultation Link | You can consult our clinicians online by clicking on the link below. [Add practice link] If you have a skin condition, please attach a photo. | |