The Trust is rolling out our own patient portal for patient access to the majority of Outpatient and Endoscopy appointment letters.
Patients who have a mobile phone number registered with our services will be offered their letter digitally. If the digital letter is not accessed within 24 hours or there is no mobile number held on file, then a postal letter will be automatically sent.
This will mean that patients will be able to view their Outpatient and Endoscopy appointment details on their smartphone, tablet or computer as well as being able to request to cancel or rebook the appointment.
How does it work?
The system can only be accessed with patient NHS login details. As well as the appointment date and time, the letter also includes any pre-assessment instructions and essential reading, which includes leaflets and hospital information.
Please be aware that patients will receive a separate text with the digital link for each separate appointment therefore, if you receive care from multiple services, you may receive more than one text message.
If someone has my phone, can they access my letter?
The patient portal requires NHS login details to be entered to access appointment letters in the Trust portal application.
If I delete the text by mistake after I have opened it up, how will I remember my appointment date?
As well as patient portal communications, the trust operates a handy appointment reminder service to ensure patients remember the key details of their upcoming appointment. You can also log back in to the app using the following link https://portal.tgh.nhs.uk/patient-portal/ and entering your username and password then select appointments to view any future Trust outpatient appointments that you have been sent.
Can I opt out of receiving text messages?
Patients can opt out of text messaging and digital letters at any time by speaking to a member of staff when arriving for your hospital appointment or there is an opt-out option within the portal at the bottom of the page in the appointment section.
What happens if my phone isn’t working on the day of my appointment, and I can’t access the digital letter?
The same procedure should be followed as if a patient has not brought their physical letter to an appointment. Turn up at the hospital and book in at one of our reception or self-check-in desks.
What happens if I cancel my appointment on my phone?
If you choose to cancel your appointment you are advising the Trust that this appointment is no longer required so you will more than likely be discharged back to your GP. If you would like to rearrange your appointment, please choose the rebook option.
What happens if I rebook my appointment on my phone?
The Trust will communicate with you once a further appointment has been arranged.
When will a physical letter be sent out if a patient does not access the digital letter?
If you do not access your letter via the link sent to your mobile phone within 24 hours of receiving your text link, the system will automatically generate a postal letter.
What if I don’t have a smartphone?
You will still receive a text message but won’t be able to access the portal link from your phone. Don’t worry though, a copy of the letter will automatically be posted to your home address.
How can I convert my digital letter to multiple languages or change the size of the text?
You can select the accessibility functionality in the bottom left-hand corner of the page. The tool bar will then appear at the top of the screen and features include translation of your appointment letter into a chosen language, increasing and decreasing font size and changing the background colour of the page.