What
You can register a patient by sending an SMS text message to their mobile phone. If they have a smartphone the link can allow either a one-tap registration which is fast and easy or a link to the Trusts Web Page directing them to register via NHS Login. This is highly scalable allowing you to register lots of patients simultaneously through a mass send or individually as needed.
Why:
On average a Trust has a high volume of mobile phone numbers. These numbers are actively updated and therefore an up to date source of information.
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A patient receiving active care, is an engaged patient and it is in their benefit to access their appointments, letters and clinical data digitally. Providing a SMS registration link at certain periods of that care, is more likely to generate registrations. Active care could be due to an appointment being booked, a letter needs to be posted, or clinically you wish a patient to complete a digital questionnaire, either way it can be the opportunity to promote PKB registrations with the added benefit of potentially stopping usage of paper and postage.
How:
This can be through two ways:
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Whichever type of SMS you choose, NHS providers can send a certain amount of SMS messages free of charge. For more information, please contact your PKB team.
Recommendations
PKB recommends a SMS template to support patient registration, link here. Using the recommended points below, it has been found to encourage registrations and reduce queries from patients about the contents.
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