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Healthcare Communications: Text messages and letters from the Health Board


Appointment Reminders, Digital Letters and the Patient Portal 

We’re going digital, meaning you don’t need to wait for your appointment letter to arrive in the post anymore! 

We're gradually introducing digital letters through the Patient Portal. Soon, you'll start receiving some of your hospital letters faster via text message. 

You will receive a text message from 'ABUHB NHS’ with instructions on how to view your letter via our Patient Portal straight to your smartphone. We have also re-designed our appointment reminder text message service to help remind you of the time and date of your upcoming appointments. The text messages will not only send you a first reminder of the time and date of your appointment 7-days in advance, it will also give you the option to request rebooking or cancellation for some of our Services. 

You'll receive text messages from 'ABUHB NHS' in both English and Welsh. You can choose your preferred language for future messages - either English or Welsh - by calling the number on your letter or telling us when you come to your appointment. 

 

How do I view my digital letter?  


Click the link in the text message. This will take you to the Patient Portal login page. 

Enter your date of birth and the unique PIN (located in the text message). This will take you to the Patient Portal homepage. 

Select the Appointment section. This will take you the appointment overview page, where you will be able to see your appointment date and clinic information. 

Click into the appointment to view your letter in more detail, view essential reading information, rebook or cancel your appointment, add the appointment to your calendar and much more. 
 

 

What happens if I don’t receive a text message? 

Don’t worry about missing a letter, if you don’t open the digital letter within 24-hours, a paper copy will be sent to you in the post. If we don’t have your mobile number on file or you have opt-ed out of digital communications, you will continue to receive paper letters in the post. 

 

Do I need to register for the Patient Portal? 

When you open your first digital letter, you will be given the option to create a username and password. If you do this, you’ll be able to log in to see all your letters in one place, and the next time you get a notification of a new letter it will instead invite you to log in to ABUHB.nhsportal.net 

If you don’t wish to register, you will be able to access appointment letters up to 10- days after your appointment or non-appointment-based letters for up to 10- days after receiving it. Access the letters using your date of birth and the unique PIN provided in each text message you receive. 
 

  
What are the benefits of using the Patient Portal? 

The Patient Portal has several features available, such as: 

  • Options to download letters and email copies to yourself or another recipient 
  • Add appointment details directly to smart device calendars 
  • Functionality allowing you request rebooking or cancellation at a click of a button if you are unable to make your original appointment date. 
  • You can plan your hospital journey with a real-time (live) traffic map. 
  • By creating your own Patient Portal account, you can access all your hospital letters sent through the Patient Portal and appointment information, anytime. 

 

Is the Patient Portal secure? 

Yes, the portal is secure, safe and easy to use. The portal is encrypted, requiring verifiable information before allowing access. 

If you do not wish to be contacted via text message, you can continue to be sent appointment information via letter only. You can opt out of the text reminder system by letting our booking teams know when they are arranging your appointment. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions