NHS Scotland is rolling out a new text message service to make sure that their waiting lists are up to date, and check whether patients still require their appointments or surgery.

Patients across NHS Scotland who are on a waiting list for an orthopaedic or endoscopy appointment or procedure will get a text message from the National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU).

Andrew Norman, NHS Forth Valley’s Operational Manager for Trauma & Orthopaedic services, explained: “NECU supports local NHS Boards to ensure that information held on NHS Scotland waiting lists is accurate, helping us to reallocate any appointments or operations that are no longer needed to other patients waiting to be seen.”

Patients from Forth Valley who are waiting for an endoscopy or orthopaedic appointment will receive a text message from the NHS Scotland National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) on mobile number 07860 039092.

This will include a link to a short survey to check if they still need their appointment, followed by a few questions to confirm their identity. Anyone answering the survey on behalf of someone else must provide the patient’s details to complete the survey.

Andrew Norman added: “If you are waiting for an orthopaedic or endoscopy appointment within NHS Forth Valley, please do not ignore this message. Click on the link in your text message to complete the survey and follow the simple instructions.

“We want to reassure local patients that the information gathered will only be used to manage our waiting lists, and all information shared will be kept safe and secure.

“This national text service has been used by a number of NHS Boards over the last year and has been successful in identifying not only if the appointment was still required, but also to help prioritise more urgent cases.”

For more information on the national waiting list text message service, visit the National Elective Care Unit website.