Hospital hails success of digital patient letters

Shaun Whitmore/BBC Aerial image of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, showing low-level buildings and car parks Shaun Whitmore/BBC
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital said the new system saved time and money

Digital letters and text messages sent out to patients have saved a hospital money and cut down on missed appointments, it said.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, Norfolk, said the system had been taken up by 70% of patients.

One hundred more people had been seen each week in November compared with June 2023, a spokesperson said.

"Digital letters help patients remember where to go and when their appointment is at the click of a button," added Trudy Taylor, the hospital's head of information and business support.

The hospital would save £221,000 a year on second-class stamps if all patients opted to for digital letters, a spokesperson added.

The new system was introduced in February last year.

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