Hospital letters to be sent six weeks before

Letters advising patients of their hospital appointments will be sent out six weeks before in a trial that aims to cut the number of missed slots, Manx Care has said.

The health care body said the pilot would mean fewer letters would be sent out, which would “reduce confusion”.

Orthopaedic outpatients will be the first to get the letters in the six-week trial before it is rolled out to other areas early next year.

A spokeswoman for Manx Care said it would stop letters being sent out months in advance and being forgotten about.

“It is hoped that this will help more patients to remember the date of their appointment, rather than having to take note of it months in advance,” she said.

While appointments would continue to be booked as usual as soon as possible after a consultation or referral, the letter would only be sent out six weeks prior to the date.

'Only letter'

She added that it would also save on paper and postage costs if clinics had to be rescheduled before the six-week window, something that was “discouraged” closer to the appointment time unless due to illness or “unexpected necessary leave”.

“This gives us more confidence that once we have sent your letter, your appointment should not be cancelled, meaning this should be the only letter we have to send."