What is happening?
Thousands of patients are now receiving text messages telling them how they can manage some of their Newcastle Hospitals appointments through the NHS app, in the Your Health section.
This feature allows patients to easily request to rearrange or cancel appointments. It is being rolled out across the full hospital in phases, and has already began in outpatient clinics at the Freeman Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
As more clinics come on board, if we have a registered mobile for you, you will automatically receive a text message from Newcastle Hospitals, explaining some of your appointments are available within the NHS app.
This is part of a national programme led by NHS England and is happening at hospitals throughout the country. It gives patients greater control and allows them to organise appointments around work and other commitments.
Benefits for patients
Over 33 million people nationally have already signed up to the NHS app and are using it to conveniently access healthcare services and information, including viewing their GP health records and placing repeat prescriptions.
By using the NHS app, patients at Newcastle Hospitals will be able to:
- Request to rearrange, accept and cancel appointments
- Receive appointment updates such as potential delays or cancellations
- Receive reminders by app notifications and SMS texts
- View letters and documents digitally
- Access resources, such as hospital maps and parking information
- Access a single point of contact for their care
- Complete questionnaires or key documentation before appointments
What do I need to do?
If you are receiving care from one of our departments using this service, all you need to do is download the free NHS app – if you are not already using it.
You can download the app onto your mobile through:
- App Store (if you have an Apple device), or from the
- Google Play Store (if you have an Android device).
You can also access the app through your computer by visiting the this webpage.
Once you have logged into your account, either by the app or through the website, you then need to select the Your Health section and then Upcoming and past appointments.
As more clinics come on board, if we have a registered mobile for you, you will automatically receive a text message from Newcastle Hospitals, explaining some of your appointments are available within the NHS app.
If you are having issues with accessing your appointments or have any questions, you can contact the Appointment Booking Centre on 0191 282 4444 or email nuth.ABC@nhs.net
When using the NHS app you should make sure that your contact details are up to date.
Frequently asked questions
What if I don’t have the NHS app?
Patients can still receive appointment letters and texts as long as we have your details. Please ensure that we have your current address and up-to-date telephone numbers when you next speak to us.
You can also call the Appointment Booking Centre (ABC) team on 0191 282 4444, or the relevant service to change or cancel your appointments.
When will I be able to use the NHS app for all my appointments with Newcastle Hospitals?
We want to ensure every patient has the experience of using the NHS App to manage their appointments.
The service is being rolled out in stages across Newcastle hospitals, to help manage the initial volume of patients and appointments.
Starting with our musculoskeletal services, it will then be available to outpatients in some of our urology services during Autumn 2023. Following this, it will be introduced to other services one by one. It may take a few months to see all of your appointments with Newcastle Hospitals on the NHS app.
For more information, or if you have any other questions, visit the NHS app website.
What if you don’t have a mobile contact for me?
If you have not registered your mobile number with the clinic you are being cared for at, you can call the Appointment Booking Centre (ABC) on 0191 282 4444 to register it.
Will I still receive an appointment letter?
If you do not take up the option of using the NHS app for your hospital appointments, you will still receive paper copies of your letters.
If you choose to use the app, you will no longer receive paper copies. However, as we roll out the service, turning on the new service and updating patient preferences, you may still receive paper copy letters in the short term.
Eventually all of your letters will be available digitally in the app.
This helps Newcastle Hospitals reduce our carbon footprint and means you can access your information instantly.
