April 19, 2013
Patients with appointments to a range of public outpatient clinics in the South Burnett will receive SMS reminders of their appointment times from next month.
South Burnett Cluster Operations Manager Peta Rutherford said the SMS message would be an extra reminder to the appointment letters which are currently sent out.
“Improving our communication with patients, to remind them of appointments, is a key strategy to improve health outcomes,” she said.
“The initial target clinics will be allied health and specialist outpatient services, but will continue to expand over the coming weeks.
“Currently approximately 10 per cent of patients with booked appointments do not attend, which is a waste of resources, time and money.
“The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service facilities in the South Burnett are following on from a very successful trial in the Fraser Coast Health Service area.
“When patients do not turn up for appointments it is often too late to schedule someone else to come in.
“With this in mind, a gentle reminder a day or so before the appointment is often all a patient needs to ensure attendance.
“Patients will receive a reminder of their appointment time and date, and a contact number to phone if they are unable to attend their appointment.”
Ms Rutherford said if a patient fails to attend, attempts to contact the patient would be made to reschedule the appointment.
Patients will be asked to update their mobile numbers each time they attend a clinic, or a hospital service.
