Hospital patients are being told missing a hospital appointment costs the NHS £100 each time in new text reminder service.

Southport and Ormskirk hospitals have launched the service to help patients get to their appointments on time.

Text reminders are sent one week ahead of an appointment and again 48 hours before.

The text gives the date, time and place of the appointment and a contact number to call if the patient needs to cancel or rearrange.

Therese Patten, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Text reminders are a proven method of reducing the number of missed appointments, especially when they highlight the cost to the NHS. “We know there are many reasons why people cannot attend appointments. All we ask is that patients let us know if they unable to attend.”

Patients unable to attend an appointment should let the hospital know as soon as possible so another patient can be given the slot. Appointments can be rearranged by calling 01695 656680 or emailing soh-tr.appointments@nhs.net.

Mobile telephone numbers will be used by the Trust only. They will not be passed to other parties. All personal information will be kept in line with the Data Protection Act and the Department of Health record retention guidance.