Upset re NHS text message

Surely you would know if your GP had referred you to the hospital to see a specialist?

And it could be an error. We have had hospital/GP/optician calls for other people

Maybe its a scam text - there's been plenty of those going round at the moment.

Track & trace could be ruled out if you haven't signed up to the app.

Totally understand you worrying Marieleez. Not long now until tomorrow when you can ring them. Let us know how you get on

My sister had colonscopy last week. No requirement was mentioned of her having a covid test.
I suspect it is a scam text.
As others have said, phone hospital on Monday.

I have never received such a curt message from an HHS source and I think this is a bad way to communicate with the public.

I myself was selected for a series of Covid-19 tests (throat and nose swabs). I had my initial interview and have had to insist via the complaints procedure the person who comes wears a mask . Masks will be worn on future visits to me or I will not provide the swab. The initial contact from the government department was nothing like a text message but was a A4 letter and explanatory booklet.

Grannygrumps is right. The consultants' secretaries know what's what and are good and clear to talk to on the phone .

Sounds like a scam.
Be very very careful.....

NHS

Marieeliz
Phone your GP for an answer as appointments such as yours are usually because these departments have been informed by your doctor who believes you need further investigation. Then take it from there and at the same time explaining your problem with transport.

Don’t worry at all. Yes it is thoughtless and happened to me but I assume they’re overloaded or lazy. Just phone the hospital or any number you can get hold of and give them the issue to worry about. I just say I can’t do x and let them figure out a solution. They always do with a bit of huffing. Occasionally you don’t get far like I was trying to find out why I had to shield , well over been shielding four months and still can’t find out why !! But since I decided to shield until May 2021 ( depending on cases etc ) I don’t mind .

Yes, Chrissie13 that is what I think is bad. Last year they found a polyp not cancerous but abnormal cells. They could not remove it with a scope. It was my choice to leave it or not. I will be leaving it at least for now. I moved July last year hate were I moved to and am moving back in the next few weeks just waiting for purchase to go through. Just can't believe they would send a message without an explanation.

Not all letters do come in post joysutty- not anymore- its an annoyance to me as they send me texts for 'portal appoinments' for both me and my 2 sons at home (21&17) as i deal with all their medical appts etc too- but it never says which person they're for at beginning, i have to click on them and then put in details & if its not my own, go through it all again, or again & again to get correct one, but also i was told when i rang up that IF you DON'T click on it they then send a letter out instead! So why not just send letter in first place! Yes these texts are worrying as then you can't sort them especially if its weekend, or after 5.30! But as for OP, yes I'd ring on monday- as its odd a 'young lad' answered, saying receptionist had 'gone home'?? It could just be kids messing or could be genuine but just a mix up, for example, there's more than one person with same name, as my son used to attend same childrens clinic when he was younger, as another child, same name, so its possible you got their txt by mistake? But if youre not expecting one from that dept definitely ring on monday- not that number, but the main hospital number,& ask for gastro dept? I think you CAN actually opt out of the text message service also? You could ask hospital when you ring?

My son in law had a small op day prior to lock down, he did have to have a covid19 test i think.

Definitely ring gastro dept, as if its from them they will know if its for you or not, ask main switchboard for gastro dept- but mostly if the hosp send appts its in the form of an online link to a 'portal appointment' then you get sent back the online appt letter- but we all did a postal covid 19 test and (eventually,after i rang up twice) got back result in just a text message and then an email.

I would check too with hospital that number you got text from? If its not from them then block it.

I think if hospitals use texts it usually says its an NHS messaging service- id check number you had with hosp, then block other you got if its not genuine.

I do hope you get it all sorted out tomorrow. Friends who have had hospital appointments during the pandemic have all been sent for Covid tests first, so I have a feeling that has arrived ahead of the appointment. I know they are trying to make us do all our medical appointments by mobile phone but I guess there are going to be a lot missed. Not everybody over the age of 50 is constantly looking on their phones and I know a couple of people who just keep them in the car in case of a breakdown. It is so easy to miss.

If you are not expecting a hospital appointment in gastroenterology, then it’s a mistake.

If you are expecting an appointment, then it’s a Covid test before you go for your appointment - to keep you and everyone else safe. You can request a home test.

What is there to get upset about??

Please be careful. There are lots of scams going around to make these odd times even worse. Do not worry about it over the weekend, but it sounds a suspicious way of working to me. On Monday, don’t reply to the text but ring the hospital direct and ask for the appointments section. They should have all the information you need and can refer you for transport assistance if needed.

The NHS use of texting people is really annoying you can't reply and they often don't give enough info. I work in a GP I had a patient phone, he had a blood test booked for Thrusday (rarer than hens teeth) and an XRay for Friday. He got a text saying his appointment had been changed to the next Tuesday, NO IDEA WHICH APPOTINTMENT. We told him to call the Xray dpet, easier to get though couldn't get a humand, you can't get through to blodd test so in the end he had to go to the blood test (by taxi) if that one was OK the changed one it was the Xray. What a waste of people's time and money when all they had to add to the text was "your blood test" or "your Xray appointment"

If anyone sent me a text I wouldn't know because I don't understand/ can't receive the system.
I'm inclined to think it's a scam too. Unless you've given them your text connection details.

Blimey, there are loads of people who had appointments in the pipeline that would have loved such a text because they would think that at least things are moving. Ok, you got it on a Friday so you have to wait for the weekend to get an answer but that is hardly the end of the world. Just ring and cancel the test on Monday if you don't want the Gastroenterology Appointment which is probably on its way. The poor old NHS can't do right for doing wrong.

I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. It is normal procedure to do Covid tests before another procedures to keep everyone safe. It sounds like there has been an admin hiccup and you have been sent a test appointment before your gastro enterology appointment has been sent out. Nothing to worry about at all.

I have a hospital appointment on Wednesday about my arthritis. I asked if it was safe and the receptionist said that they ask you to wear a mask, they take your temperature and don't have people hanging around. No mention of any test. Surely if it was NHS policy, it would be nationwide?

I am still a bit jittery about going, to be honest.

I have a hospital appointment this week too Bluecat and have also not been asked to take a Covid test, just to wear a mask, so different health trusts clearly do have different policies. I don't feel concerned as medical professionals will be sure to be adhering to the protocols; much safer than a supermarket trip I would think.

I had a routine dexa scan a few weeks back no Covid tests before or after Felt extremely safe however
No need to be afraid just ring them Probably is a scam If you re not expecting anything Nothing to get upset about