New online communication tool enables hospital patients to access their health information at all times

Patients at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are now able to access their health information anytime from anywhere, with the launch of a new online patient engagement service.

The Patient Portal system aims to support a smoother hospital experience for patients, giving them an easily accessible place to view their appointments and letters, request alterations to their appointments if needed and access helpful health information, ensuring a more personalised, convenient and effective hospital journey.  

Patients can access the portal via a web page accessible on a mobile phone, PC or tablet or they will be able to log in via the NHS app. 

The different functionalities of the portal are being introduced to patients over a period of time and users will begin receiving more and more types of information from the hospital about their care online – some types of paper letters will continue to be sent out in the meantime or if a patient wants to opt out.  

Dr Theresa Barnes, consultant rheumatologist and clinical lead for the Patient Engagement Portal system, said:

“We are always looking for ways to improve the experience of our patients and this new service makes it more convenient for them to access their hospital appointments and health information securely in a single place on the NHS app.

"We are thrilled to be able to offer this service to improve care as a way patients can access their health information and give them more control over their hospital care, with more features that will allow for greater personalised care conversations online between clinicians and patients to come in the future.

Nick Barlow, Executive Director Transformation at DrDoctor added: 

“We’re delighted that the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have chosen to partner with DrDoctor. Our technology is designed to fundamentally improve the way patients access and engage with their care, whilst supporting Trusts to increase efficiency, productivity throughout the patient journey.  

“We have ambitious plans to continue enhancing this partnership through a phased rollout of advanced functionality, from direct messaging to automated appointment rescheduling.”