From Wednesday 22nd June 2022, Alder Hey will send patient letters via a text message to your mobile.
We will send you a text message with a link, allowing you to view and download your letter on your mobile phone. The text message will look like the below example:
![](https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/text-example.jpg)
Please Note:
This new way of receiving appointment letters is not in place for all services. As such, you may still continue to receive physical appointment letters through the post for the time being.
This new way of receiving an appointment letter will mean that patients will be able to view all their appointment details on their smartphone, tablet or computer, rather than receiving this via a physical letter. You will also have the option of viewing and interacting with all Alder Hey correspondence via a secure, online Patient Portal.
Parents of children and young people who have a mobile phone number registered with Alder Hey, will be sent their letter digitally from 22nd June 2022.
However, if your digital letter is not accessed within 24 hours or no mobile number is held with the hospital, then a postal letter will be automatically sent.
The provider of our digital letters is Healthcare Communication.
Benefits
- The ability to read your letters and correspondence with Alder Hey immediately, rather than waiting for it to be posted. There is also an option to register with Patient Portal, which allows you to access all your communications with Alder Hey in one place.
- Allowing access to your appointment information anytime and anywhere by smartphone, tablet and desktop. Details can be emailed and printed off too.
- Appointments can be added directly into a digital calendar, to reduce the risk of forgetting appointments and help keep treatment on track.
- Help working out travel plans, with a live home to hospital Google map, providing real time travel routes and times.
- Adding speech, reading and translation options to digital text. Your letter content can be read aloud in multiple languages, too.
- It will help save the NHS money and reduce administration times.
The system is safe and secure and can only be accessed with the PIN and the patients’ date of birth. As well as the appointment date and time, letters may also include any pre-assessment instructions, essential reading and hospital information as attachments. Watch the below video for more information.