We are working with the behavioural science unit at NHS England on a research project which will test whether the words we use in messages to patients waiting for appointments makes a difference to response rates.  

Patients waiting for appointments will be sent messages via the NHS App that are worded slightly differently to test which wording performs better. The aim is to reduce the number of patients who do not attend appointments.

Last week CHFT received a personal thank you from the NHS England team who are leading the project. The thank you message said: "Your team’s collaboration is instrumental in helping us run a robust trial, and we are excited about the potential impact this work could have on reducing avoidable delays and improving service efficiency. We truly value the commitment your team has shown to innovation and evidence-based improvement, and we look forward to sharing results that we hope will be useful not just locally, but across the wider-system."

The researchers will be working with our Trust along with Bolton NHS Foundation Trust to run the experiment over the summer. The results will be shared across the system later this year. If you want to find out more about the research project, please contact Clare.Ledgard@cht.nhs.uk or Emily.Dewey@cht.nhs.uk (both pictured).