A new initiative by NHS Scotland that was launched across Lanarkshire last month is extending the patient waiting lists that are being contacted to enquire if patients still require to remain on the list.
This national service is being delivered by NHS Scotland’s National Elective Co-ordination Unit (NECU) in partnership with the digital solutions provider, DrDoctor.
The service was rolled out across Lanarkshire and was initially validating the Public Dental Service, new routine Ultrasound scans and new routine MRI scans waiting lists.
It has now included the waiting lists for:
- General Surgery outpatient, inpatient and day case
- General Surgery Upper gastrointestinal
- Colorectal
- Colorectal Incontinence
- Endoscopy
- Gynaecology
- Ear Nose and Throat Paediatric outpatient, inpatient and day case
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Inpatient
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Paediatric Inpatient
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Local Anaesthetic
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Local Anaesthetic Paediatric
And all outpatients for:
- Cardiology
- Gastro
- Neurology
- Respiratory
- Rheumatology
- Orthopaedics
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Paediatrics
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
- Gynaecology
Patient across Lanarkshire on one of these lists should be aware they may receive a text message from the NECU over the coming days and weeks.
Richard Bell, Associate Director, National Elective Coordination Unit, Centre for Sustainable Delivery, said: “We are extending this initiative to support NHS Lanarkshire allow patients from other waiting lists to comment on their needs when requesting to stay or be removed from the waiting list and improve communication and engagement with patients.
“NECU is able to engage with a large cohort of patients simultaneously to ascertain if they still require an appointment. In turn, this also largely improves regular communication with patients.
“Patients will receive a text message from the NHS Scotland National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) on the mobile number 07860 039092.
“This will include a link to a short survey asking if you still need your appointment or operation, followed by a few questions to confirm their identity. People who are answering the survey on behalf of someone else must provide the patient’s details at this stage.”
The National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) is part of NHS Golden Jubilee’s national Centre for Sustainable Delivery, established by the Scottish Government to support national waiting times recovery.
It supports local NHS Boards to ensure that information held on NHS Scotland waiting lists is accurate and helping us to reallocate any appointments that are no longer needed to others on the waiting list.
For more information visit the dedicated National Elective Coordination Unit page on the Centre for Sustainable Delivery website.
