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iPLATO text messaging solution set to save NHS Millions
Added: (Thu Sep 07 2006)
iPLATO text messaging solution set to save NHS Millions
Figures released by the Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) today have indicated that an estimated 16 million GP appointments are missed every year in the UK. With research suggesting that the average cost of a missed appointment within general practice estimated at £18; this represents a collective loss of nearly £300 million to the NHS each year. iPLATO has developed a text messaging solution specifically for the Health Care Service, which works by sending patients a text message reminder direct to their mobile phones. The solution, called Patient Care Messaging, has proven to reduce the DNA (did not attend) rate of GP surgeries by between 26% and 50 %. The system which fully integrates to a GP's booking system has been commercially available for the last two years and is currently being used in sites within twelve Primary Care Trusts. Despite the proven success in reducing the number of missed appointments, Patient Care Messaging has yet to be recognised centrally by the NHS as a cost effective and scalable solution to this growing problem. iPLATO is committed to improving Health Care through technology and innovation.
About iPLATO:
iPLATO is a privately owned limited company founded in London in 1999 and now has offices in several other countries. Over the last four years the company has invested substantial resources towards overcoming the barriers to entry of the United Kingdom healthcare market and building a mobile healthcare business. In 2003, iPLATO was awarded a SMART Feasibility Grant by the Department of Trade & Industry to study the feasibility of a national implementation of a system to remind outpatients about scheduled appointments using text messaging technology. Since completing the study, the company has built a promising business around its flagship service - Patient Care Messaging. Patient Care Messaging is the leading secure and scalable solution for text based patient healthcare services in the United Kingdom. The messaging service is fully integrated with the most used Patient Administration Systems including EMIS. It is estimated that missed appointments cost the NHS England £789 million per year. The full Imperial College report can be downloaded at www.vodafone.com/healthcare.
Press contact:
For iPLATO: San-Jay Moodley, sanjay.moodley@iplato.net, 079 4758-2936
Suite 210 – Canalot Studios, 222 Kensal Road, London W10 5BN, United Kingdom
www.iplato.net
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Submitted by:
San-Jay Moodley