Text reminder for all hospital appointments from June

Patients can opt out if they don't want to receive messages

All adults with hospital appointments will receive text reminders from next month unless they opt out of the service.

Health Minister Lawrie Hooper has confirmed all patients over the age of 18 will be sent a text three days before they're due to see a doctor by the end of June.

Currently, just under 21,000 patients have chosen to opt in for text reminders, while more than 35,000 have opted out.

Until now, the health service had used an opt in system for such messages, but updated advice from the Information Commissioner has allowed for the change.

More information can be found here.