March 24, 2006 at 9:51 pm · Authored by Ewan · Filed under SMS

Mobile texting to save the NHS £370 million a year | 24dash.com - Health

It’s claimed today that mobile phone texting could save the NHS millions of pounds a year. If patients were texted to remind them to take their drugs and turn up for appointments experts at Imperial College believe that patient care would be improved, and the move would also benefit staff who currently waste time because of the growing number of missed appointments.

In trials of people receiving texts, the number of missed doctors appointments were cut by between 26% and 39%, whilst in hospital trials involving texts, the number of missed appointments fell by 33% to 50%.

That could translate into savings of between £240 million and £370 million every year, according to the study carried out in conjunction with NHS Direct.

I just wish they’d stop talking and start doing.