New Text Messaging Service
In August 2017, Testvale Surgery launched a new text messaging service for patients.
Patients are able to opt out of the service if they choose to do so.
The service allows the practice to send appointment reminders to patients, as well as reminders to book appointments for important flu or shingles campaigns.
The text messaging service is free to receive texts. Response texts are chargeable at a standard network message rate.
It will also enable the practice to be more efficient in offering more appointments to patients.
Currently, there are large numbers of patients who book but fail to attend their appointment.
In March 2025, 181 appointments were booked but patients failed to attend.
Sending text reminders will reduce these rates enabling the practice to see more patients who need to be seen.
