Why are we still posting out paper appointment letters for the NHS? We know half of them get lost, arrive late, or are just ignored. It’s a ridiculous waste of time and money, and it’s actively making waiting lists worse because people miss their slots. My departments spend hours chasing up patients who never got the letter, or who turned up on the wrong day because it was delayed.
My proposal is simple: ditch the paper and go digital, but properly. We need a secure, user-friendly app or portal where patients can see all their upcoming appointments across the NHS in Wales, get instant notifications, and confirm or reschedule easily. Think like a flight booking app, but for your doctor. It would link directly into the hospital’s booking system.
This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about efficiency.
Discussion (4)
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A digital system would make a huge difference, and I think it's worth looking at how other countries have implemented similar systems - I've heard that some hospitals in Scotland have already started using digital appointment systems with good results, it's definitely worth exploring further. This could help reduce the number of missed appointments and make our services more efficient.