Reducing the number of patients who miss appointments and putting patients in control with technology is a key step towards tackling the elective care backlog. Engagement solutions are a key enabler to support this. Digital solutions allow patients to have greater control over their elective care.

In 2023-24, there were 135.4 million outpatient appointments – of these appointments, 8 million ended in a ‘did not attend’ (DNA).

To successfully reduce DNA rates, you need to understand the local reasons behind your organisations DNA rates and work to reduce them by implementing solutions that help ensure appointment slots are not wasted.

Digital solutions are a key enabler to allowing patients more control. Joe Harrison, NHSE National Director for Digital Channels, states that within five years, one in three interactions between patients and the NHS will be made digitally via the NHS app, website or other channels.

The Patient/Citizen Communications and Engagement Solutions Framework Agreement can support these goals by providing you with the digital tools to work towards empowering patients to manage their appointments. Patient portals benefit the patient and support your elective care recovery and transformation plans. Patients can see their results quicker than waiting for the results to come via the post or having to find time to phone up and ask; notifications can be sent via patient portals, which reduces the amount of printing and postage costs, and they support reducing DNAs as appointments can be rescheduled via these digital communication methods.

Ensuring the right technology is in place to deliver timely patient communication via the right channel to reduce missed appointments supports digital transformation for better patient outcomes.

If this framework agreement doesn’t cover the goods or services you require, or a framework agreement isn’t the optimal route to market for your needs, we can provide tailored strategic procurement support. Find out more here.