City public hospitals roll out text system to reduce outpatient waiting list

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Over 12 thousand people waiting for outpatient appointments at the city’s public hospitals have been contacted in a texting initiative.
Galway University Hospitals is conducting the communication drive in a bid to ensure no patient is waiting longer than 12 months.
The new text system has been rolled out to make it easier for outpatients to respond and confirm their position on the list.
Of the 12 thousand text messages sent, over nine thousand replied.
Management at UHG and Merlin Park are working to meet national targets which mean no patient should wait longer than 12 months for appointment.
Patients will now also receive a text reminder seven working days prior to appointment in a bid to reduce the large number of ‘no shows’.
Last year, over 36 thousand patients did not attend a scheduled appointment.
Sue Hennessy, Waiting List Manager says the co-operation of patients is an essential part of the efficient delivery of the service.