Using the NHS app to manage your appointments

From Tuesday 11 June 2024, patients using the NHS app to view their upcoming eye care appointments at Moorfields will now be able to receive notifications and messages.

The NHS app enables you to see any Moorfields Eye Hospital appointments that have been added to the DrDoctor portal, alongside appointments you may have at other trusts who are also linked up with the NHS app.

From 11 June, if you have your notifications switched on in the NHS app, you will receive alert notifications and messages for the following:

  • Appointment confirmation
  • Appointment reminders
  • Cancelled or rescheduled appointments

If notifications and messages are successfully delivered but you do not acknowledge them within eight hours of them being sent or by 9pm, whichever comes first, the communication will revert to the fallback mechanism already in place for your preferred method of contact of text message and/or email, to ensure you do not miss details of any updates or changes.

Benefits of the NHS app

The NHS app aims to bring patient healthcare information together in one place, making it easier for you to manage referrals, appointments, and follow up care with trusts who are using the NHS app. You can read more about the app and how to use it, in our FAQs below.

Get the NHS App

For more information on using the NHS app, please read our FAQs below:

I’m already receiving my information digitally from Moorfields, why do I need the NHS app?

If you are already receiving your outpatient information digitally from us, via the DrDoctor patient portal, you will continue to receive information in this way.

You can also download the NHS app and view your information digitally there. The benefit of using the NHS app is that you will be able to view all your healthcare appointments (with trusts, GPs and pharmacists who are using the app) in one place.

You might still receive notifications from us via DrDoctor, as our patient portal offers some services not yet available via the NHS app, such as patient-initiated follow ups. 

 

I am not receiving my information digitally from Moorfields – how do I request that?

If you are not currently receiving your outpatient information digitally via our patient portal, DrDoctor, please contact us using the details in your letter and we can update your preferences. You will need to make sure the details we have on our system are correct, including your full name, date of birth, postcode and mobile number. You can also check with us the next time you are in clinic, or email us at moorfields.outpatientbookingsbc@nhs.net  


Once we have checked your contact details and updated your preferences, you will start to receive your outpatient information digitally (in the form of text messages or emails). This information will then also be available in the NHS App. 

We recommend you download the NHS app, as this will provide you with information on any healthcare appointments you have with other trusts, GPs or pharmacies (that are using the NHS app), as well as being able to view and manage your appointments with Moorfields. 

 

What information can I view in the NHS App?

You will be able to access the following in the NHS app:

  • Your Moorfields outpatient appointment details and healthcare documentation;
  • Pre-appointment questionnaires to help you  get the most out of your upcoming appointment;
  • Post appointment questionnaires to help us find out what we did well and what we might need to improve on.

We will send you a text message (from 07860039092) or email (from no-reply@drdoctor.co.uk) when you have a new digital questionnaire to complete. You may also receive a notification from the NHS app.

 

Can I see details about upcoming operations in the NHS app?
If you are booked in for surgery, we will contact you directly, using your preferred method, to ensure you are prepared for surgery and have all the information you need. You will not be able to view or update any information about planned procedures in the NHS app or via the patient portal. 
How do I download the NHS app?

For more information on how the NHS app works, including how to download it, please visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-app 
Here you will find more information on the app, along with useful videos and other resources to help you get a better understanding of how it works.

You can also watch this short video on how to view your appointments using the NHS app. 

 

What if I do not want to use the NHS app? Will I no longer be able to access my appointment information online?

If you decide not to use the NHS app, you will still receive information about your appointments with us via text or email from DrDoctor if you have provided a mobile number or email address and are opted in for digital communications. You can also log into the DrDoctor portal at any time online and view your appointment information.

Downloading the NHS app will help you to better manage all your healthcare appointments in one place. 

 

I do not have a smartphone – will I no longer receive information about my appointments if I can’t use DrDoctor or the NHS app?

Patients who aren’t using DrDoctor will continue to receive their information via letter through the post.

If your circumstances have changed, and you can now receive your information digitally, please contact us using the details on your letter and we can update your records. You can also email us at  moorfields.outpatientbookingsbc@nhs.net    

 

How accessible is the NHS app for people with accessible needs?

On a phone or tablet you can use the built-in Apple iOS or Android accessibility settings to make some parts of the NHS App more accessible. 
You can also log in from the NHS website. By changing the settings on your web browser or computer you should be able to:

  • Change colours, contrast levels and fonts
  • Zoom in up to 200% with the text staying visible on the screen
  • Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • Navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • Listen to most of the website using a screen reader, including the latest versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver

You can read more about the accessibility of the app by clicking on the link below:

NHS App accessibility statement - Version 8, 7 November 2023 - NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

 

I am already using the NHS app – how do I access my Moorfields appointments on here?

If you are already receiving your appointment information digitally from us, this information will automatically appear on your healthcare record on the NHS app. 

 

How has my data from Moorfields been shared with the NHS app – how do I know it is secure?

Your patient data remains safely secure on the DrDoctor servers and is only viewable to you on the NHS app once you have downloaded it.

 

video transcript

On the homepage of the NHS app you can check, confirm and change details of your upcoming hospital appointments.

Scroll down and select upcoming and past appointments. You will see details of any upcoming referrals and appointments

To see the details and reply to any actions, click on the green box next to the referral or appointment.

If you need help visit: www.nhs.uk/nhsapp.