Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS FT Launches Innovative Patient Portal with DrDoctor
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has introduced a cutting-edge online portal in partnership with DrDoctor, aimed at revolutionizing outpatient care delivery. The patient engagement portal (PEP) offers outpatients at Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, and Stroud Maternity Hospital the convenience of viewing digital appointment letters online and receiving text reminders.
Zoë Blackman, communications lead at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS FT, emphasized the importance of empowering patients through enhanced communication and informed decision-making. The trust’s collaboration with DrDoctor, which began in 2023, is set to transform the patient experience over the next five years.
Tom Whicher, CEO of DrDoctor, highlighted the ongoing journey of digital transformation with Gloucestershire Hospitals, with plans to introduce advanced functionalities like two-way scheduling, direct messaging, and digital assessments integrated with the NHS App for a seamless patient experience.
Furthermore, the trust aims to integrate the PEP with the NHS app by summer 2024, offering patients the option to receive notifications and change appointment times online. By 2025, plans include two-way messaging for appointment scheduling and digital clinical assessments.
Dr. Paul Downie, chief clinical information officer at Gloucestershire Hospitals, described the PEP as a significant milestone in patient empowerment, enabling patients to access appointment details conveniently and securely at any time.
Helen Ainsbury, chief digital and information officer, highlighted the value of the PEP in enhancing patient experiences and streamlining operations for both staff and patients. The trust’s collaboration with Synertec ensures efficient delivery of digital letters through the DrDoctor platform.
To access the PEP, patients receive a secure link via text or email for two-factor verification log-in. This initiative aligns with the trust’s digital strategy launched in 2019, following the successful implementation of the electronic prescribing and medicines administration solution in June 2023.
