Patient updates and service announcements
First appointment booking changes
Change to Opt-in process for first assessments
What's changing?
NCTH is changing the opt-in process we use for first assessment appointments.
What does this mean for us?
At NCTH, we offer opt-ins for first assessment appointments. This means we contact patients by text to ask you to contact us to book an appointment. Until recently, we have offered 4 weeks to patients to respond, but we are finding that patients leave it till the very last minute to get back in touch, causing delays. From this month, to make sure we avoid any appointments going to waste, we are moving to a two-week opt in process. We're going to trial this for 6 months to see if it improves appointment utilisation.
How will it work?
At the start of each month, NCTH will send out opt-in texts to patients, asking you to contact us within 2 weeks to book your appointment. We will also send out a higher number of opt-in texts than before, meaning that patients who get in touch with us more quickly will be offered appointments that month. So don't delay - please do get in touch with us as soon as you can after receiving your opt-in text.
What if I don't get in touch?
If we don't hear back from you within the 2 week period, we will contact you to let you know that you have missed the opt-in period that month. We do know that patients are sometimes busy or even away for a period of time, so as long as you get back in touch with us after we chase you, you will keep your place on our waiting list, and be offered further opt-ins. However, if we hear nothing from you in response to either of our communications, we will assume you no longer wish to hear from us and discharge you.
What do I need to do next?
Please make sure that your GP practice has your up to date contact details: name, address, email address and phone number. We use your GP record to get in touch with you. If they don't have the right contact details for you, we can't reach you! And please do respond to any communications from us as soon as you can.