A new online facility called Patient Hub has launched and allows East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust patients to access appointment information online.
The digital facility, initially for orthotics patients, means people can now see information about their outpatient appointments, including letters and other useful information, online via smartphone, tablet or computer.
The orthotics services provide prescription insoles, braces, footwear, spinal jackets and helmets to patients to recover from or avoid injury.
Trialling the Patient Hub began on August 10, but the service does not currently include paediatric orthotics.
Patient Hub will be rolled out across most outpatient services and clinics at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust's hospitals in the coming months.
READ MORE
A spokesperson for the NHS trust explained: "Whenever we make an orthotics outpatient appointment for a patient, or make a change to an existing appointment in those services, we will send them a text message with links to the relevant information on their Patient Hub account.
"Patients will be able to use the service to check appointments and receive and download appointment letters and other useful information, such as leaflets about their condition, maps to explain where to come for appointments or questionnaires about symptoms and medical history."
The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust runs Lister Hospital in Stevenage, the New QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City, Hertford County Hospital, and Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood.
READ MORE
Mark Stanton, chief information officer at the NHS trust, said: "We are really pleased to have launched our digital Patient Hub.
"We know from listening to our patients that they would like to see information about their treatment and care online. Our new Patient Hub helps us to do this and makes it easy for people to find information about their appointments and care without needing to call the hospital or clinic.
"Using this service is optional, and patients will always be able to have printed letters and information posted to them at home."
More information about Patient Hub and how it works is available at enherts-tr.nhs.uk/services/patient-hub.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here