Are you on a waiting list for treatment or opinion? If so, we need your help.
As you are undoubtedly aware, waiting times for NHS services have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. We know this can affect people, and we are sorry for the impact this may have had whilst you wait for your appointment or treatment. We are committed to providing the best possible healthcare for our patients and we are working hard to address this issue so that we can see you as quickly as possible.
One step we are undertaking is to review our waiting lists. We know people’s conditions and needs can change over time which require us to reprioritise our lists. Whilst some people may need to be seen sooner, other people may be feeling much better and no longer require an appointment or treatment, or they may need to reschedule as the date is no longer suitable. Where this is the case, it is important that we are able to offer such appointments to those people who really need them. If you are on one of our waiting lists at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT), you may soon be being contacted via text message to check that you still require the referral that has been made for you. Should you receive such a message we would appreciate it if you could respond as soon as possible, so that we can make any required changes.
What is the Waiting List Validation system?
Depending upon which waiting list you are on at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, you may receive a text and/or email asking you to confirm whether you still require the appointment, would like to delay it to a future date, or do not require the appointment at all.
You will only be contacted if you have been on certain waiting lists for at least 12 weeks. Not everyone will be contacted via this system, so please do not worry if you are not contacted.
If you already know that you need to cancel or re-arrange an appointment, then your appointment letter will contain details about how you can do this. So please don’t wait until we contact you to do this.
Do I need to do anything now, before the waiting list validation starts?
Yes, please check with your GP to ensure that your correct mobile number is on record. Alternatively, if you are registered for the NHS app, you can check this by navigating to the ’Manage your NHS account’ section.
What are the benefits of the Waiting List Validation?
Waiting lists for appointments across the NHS continue to grow. The Waiting List Validation process will allow you to digitally confirm whether you still require an appointment.
This will have a number of benefits:
- Reduce waiting lists so that patients who no longer require an appointment are removed from the waiting list.
- Reduce the number of people who do not attend an appointment as they no longer require treatment
- Free admin time from multiple calls to make new and more appointments
- Monitor and update results in real time
How do I respond?
The first step of responding will be to follow the link that we will send you via SMS (text) if your referral is on one of the waiting lists that we are validating.
This will take you to a web page which looks like this:
You will be required to sign in by verifying your identity with your date of birth and mobile number, then by the use of a one-time SMS security code.
You will then be able to see any referrals/appointments awaiting a response (Please be aware, not all services at HDFT will be involved with this waiting list validation process, and therefore you may not see all your referrals/appointments on this page, this is perfectly normal).
You will be asked to confirm your response for each referral/appointment requiring a response from the below options:
- “I no longer wish to have my hospital appointment as my symptoms have resolved and I am happy to be discharged.”
- “I no longer wish to have my hospital appointment, as I have received/will be receiving treatment elsewhere and I am happy to be discharged.”
- “I would like to go ahead with my hospital appointment but wish to delay this due to personal circumstances.”
- “I would like to go ahead with my hospital appointment. My condition has not changed, and I still require treatment/opinion.”
- “I would like to speak to someone before I decide. None of the above options apply.”
If we require any additional information from you, or you have asked to speak to someone, we will contact you as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions:
Is the system secure?
Yes, the system is designed with security in mind. We use two-factor authentication to ensure the security of your information. You begin the login process by giving us some personal information (date of birth). To complete the log in process, you will then be sent a 6-digit security code by text message. This code can only be used once. The next time you log in, you will get a new 6-digit code. There is no need to download any app to your device, as the entire process takes place in your devices internet browser.
How do I access referrals/appointments within the system?
Once you have logged in to the web page via the link provided via SMS, please select “referrals” from the main dashboard.
Will my GP be informed if I am removed from the waiting list?
Yes, a letter or email will be sent by HDFT to your GP informing them that you have been removed from the waiting list for any service that you are discharged from.
Will HDFT ask for any financial information or payment?
We will never ask for payment or any kind of financial information through this process. Please do not supply any personal information other than your date of birth and one time security SMS code.
Do I need to remember a username and password?
No, you do not have a username or password, you simply log in via clicking the link and verifying your identity through your date of birth and one-time security SMS code.
How long do I have to respond to the text message or email?
Please respond to the notification within 48 hours.
What happens if I do not respond to the notification or authentication code I receive?
If you do not respond you will be sent a text reminder within 7-14 days. Please respond within 48 hours of this reminder.
When do I receive a notification?
You may receive a notification when you have been on one of HDFT’s waiting lists for a specified number of weeks. This begins at 12 weeks, and then again every 12 weeks thereafter. Not everyone will be contacted via this system, so please do not worry if you are not contacted.
What if I don’t have a smart phone? Or a computer?
If you do not have a smart phone or computer, you will not be able to participate in the waiting list validation and will remain on the waiting list.