The Evening Times ran an article about figures in a new report showing that women from Lanarkshire experience higher-than-average rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths than other parts of Scotland. The region recorded the second-highest rate in Scotland with 6.42 deaths per 1,000 births. However it is worth noting that the figure of 7,096 Lanarkshire resident […]
Appointments team reminder to patients
NHS Lanarkshire’s appointment team are reminding patients of the times when patients should expect to hear from them.
The move is to reassure patients that they are speaking to a member of healthcare staff.
The majority of first appointments will be sent by letter. However, there may be times when NHS Lanarkshire will telephone a patient, including when offering a short notice appointment.
NHS Lanarkshire is also using reminder services for outpatient appointments where you may receive an automated call the week before your appointment. This is to confirm that you are attending.
You may also receive a text message if you have previously provided a mobile telephone number.
Joyce Galloway, referral management service (RMS) manager for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “If you are expecting a hospital appointment, or are receiving treatment, you may receive a phone call from us to offer you a late appointment in the event of a cancellation.
“If we can offer you an appointment within eight days, we will phone to discuss this with you. The phone call will be followed up with a confirmation letter where there is time to do so.
“The member of staff will always introduce themselves and say that they are calling from NHS Lanarkshire.
“If we have contacted you, we will ask you to confirm your name, date of birth, address and GP practice details.
“If you have contacted us, we will ask you to confirm your CHI number (which will be on your appointment letter) as well as your name, date of birth and address.”
Appointment details are usually only discussed with the patient. However, the team are also reminding carers of the details that they will need if calling on behalf of a patient in their care.
Joyce added: “If you are calling the NHS on behalf of someone that you care for, it is important that the patient gives you their consent to speak to us.
“We may therefore ask the patient to come to the telephone to verbally give consent for you to speak on their behalf.
“You will also need to have their personal details, including their CHI number, date of birth and address.”
If a patient is still unsure if they are speaking to a member of NHS Lanarkshire staff, the can call the referral management service back on 0300 303 0249.
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