People self-isolating with suspected coronavirus symptoms will get regular check-ins from a new NHS messaging service starting this week.
Daily texts will be sent by the NHS to new patients who register their Covid-19 symptoms and contact details with the NHS 111 online service.
The messages, which will come from ‘NHS Covid-19’, will ask patients about their wellbeing and provide support to those who might need it during their isolation period.
The text messages are intended to provide reassurance to those who contact NHS 111 online, complete the assessment, and leave basic information such as their age, mobile number and when their symptoms started.
People who don’t want to receive text messages will be able to opt out at any time.
Health secretary Matt Hancock, who was diagnosed with coronavirus last week, said: “We are doing everything we can to protect the health of the nation during this outbreak, including supporting our fantastic NHS and social care workforce who are looking after people who have symptoms or are self-isolating.
“I know all too well that experiencing symptoms can be worrying, but for those living on their own it will be even more so. Alongside other measures, this new daily text service will reassure our most vulnerable that they are not alone, and also to help them manage their symptoms.”
“Technology, combined with our heroic staff on the frontline, have played a huge role in battling this virus and I encourage everyone to use this new service.”
The new text messaging service has been commissioned by NHSX and built by NHS Digital and the NHS Business Services Authority.
It comes after NHSX launched a £500,000 tech challenge that aims to fast-track digital health service that can support people in self-isolation who may have more complex mental health or social care needs.
Professor Jonathan Benger, chief medical officer at NHS Digital, said: “Across the country, people are playing their part in the battle to save lives and stop the spread of coronavirus by doing the right thing and staying home if they have got symptoms.
“However we know that for many this will be difficult. This new service will help people to get the encouragement, advice and support that they need.”
Dr Simon Eccles, Deputy Chief Executive, NHSX said: “This new service is vitally important to help the NHS to understand the impact of the virus on patients and its progression and spread across the country.”
NHS England advises people visit the NHS.UK/coronavirus page as the first and best port of call for the most up to date information and advice.
9 April 2020 @ 09:43
My mom is an asthmatic, she works in a care home and she did not receive any texts or letters based on high risk patients, I’m so worried about my mother !
8 April 2020 @ 14:47
I have received text messages telling me that I am in a high risk group (I’m not) and a further message telling me that as a vulnerable person I should not even be going into my garden for the next 12 weeks. I have been ill and have called 111 due to breathing difficulties, but these text messages are clearly meant for someone with a pre-existing medical condition as the first refers to the letter that has been sent to all extremely vulnerable people (which I have not received as I am not in this category). There is no mechanism to opt out as I can’t reply to the messages. I can see the logic in practical advice being sent by text message, but if anyone who has called 111 is getting the generic message for at risk individuals it is misleading and unhelpful.
4 April 2020 @ 15:17
My wife has been home for two weeks she was coughing and had fever!
And she still coughing after two weeks!
What should we do?
6 April 2020 @ 15:43
Hi Fanoir, Digital Health News is a news service run by a team of journalists. We are not part of the NHS, nor are we affiliated with the NHS or any other healthcare provider in the UK.
As such, Digital Health News is unable able to offer guidance regarding the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. We advise anyone seeking approved medical advice to visit nhs.uk.
2 April 2020 @ 11:34
I have been in isolation for 2 weeks with virus as my daughter also has virus, still coughing & difficulty with breathing, I have high blood pressure taking 10 mg ramipril.i am a community health care worker going from household to household, my employer is now saying I should be returning to work, I am concerned as full PPE is not available & I fear for the elderly that I have to visit as I will not be able to adhere to the 2metre distancing programme, need some advice please.
1 April 2020 @ 18:52
How do I get the app.
I work for NHS Pensions
I do not have the virus
2 April 2020 @ 16:40
Steve, it is not an app. I believe if you complete the govt Covid-19 self assessment checklist it now asks you for your mobile number if you self-diagnose as being infected and therefore going into self-isolation. You then get daily text messages I believe.