Patient Messaging Service at MDHB

30/11/2011 | Patient Messaging Service

It’s easy to use, available 24 hours a day and lets friends and family from all over the world send messages of support to loved ones in MidCentral Health facilities. MidCentral DHB’s online patient messaging service has proved to be a very successful and much appreciated feature since its introduction.

The idea for a messaging service was first considered when feedback from a number of website users suggested this would be a valuable addition to the site. Patient messaging first began as an email service in September 2009 and was later enhanced as a web form, making it easier to use and providing a central storage area of messages to help with processing. MidCentral DHB was one of the first district health boards to provide this type of service.

People write a message to a patient in Palmerston North Hospital and Horowhenua Integrated Health Centre, by following the instructions on the webpage, providing as much information as possible about the patient, so it can get to the right person. The message can be up to 4000 characters long or a Microsoft Word document can be attached which can also include photos. The message is received by patient enquiries at Palmerston North Hospital, faxed to the ward or department, and then hand delivered to the patient.

On average, 27 messages a month are received, with one third sent from friends and family overseas. The service is popular and has received extremely positive feedback.

One user expressed her appreciation: “I am very grateful to be able to send messages as I live in Canada and the regular mail takes forever. I also appreciate you notifying me when my message has been received and delivered.

“This is a wonderful programme for patients and also friends and relatives of patients. Thank you to you for the part that you play in this thoughtful service.”

Central Enquiries Team Leader, Sharon Pigott said: “We get lovely little messages from all over the world from people who really appreciate the extra effort we make by providing this service.”

The form is located on MidCentral DHB’s homepage or at www.midcentraldhb.govt.nz/patient