Important: Currently the below guidance is only in draft, it is published here for information only

Research (currently unpublished) has shown that attendances for bookings are improved when a patient receives an SMS reminder for their booking. Therefore we offer the following guidance on SMS messaging for bookings made using the NHS Booking Standard:

Booking consumers:

• SHOULD send an SMS confirmation to any patients that have provided mobile numbers and consented during the booking process.
• This MUST be transmitted as soon as the ‘200OK’ response is received from the appointment provider system
• It MUST include as a minimum:
  • Appointment Time
  • Appointment Type (In-Person, Telephone, Video)
  • Appointment Location (if In Person)
  • The name of the provider sending the SMS
  • A note to contact the service (e.g. 111) should their condition worsen or they need to cancel the booking.

Booking Providers:

• SHOULD send an SMS reminder a reasonable time prior to the appointment
• It MUST include as a minimum:
  • Appointment Time
  • Appointment Location
  • Appointment Type (In-Person, Telephone, Video)
  • The name of the provider sending the SMS
  • A note to contact the service that made the booking (e.g. 111) should their condition worsen or they need to cancel the booking.