Personal Comment

The NHS and the Use of Email

Why doesn’t the NHS routinely send patients emails rather than snail mail?

Non-Member Link…

I am not someone that is ever going to read snail mail. It is simply not something I do. Ever. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service, despite it not being a universal practice, increasingly utilizes both email and text messages to communicate with patients.

Because people like me don’t read snail mail, irritatingly, many NHS personnel I come into contact with refuse to use either email or text messages to contact me because of concerns relating to security, confidentiality, and data protection.

If NHS continues to refuse getting with the current century, because I don’t read mail sent to me in paper form, the health service provider is essentially wasting taxpayer money. It is not as if I haven’t told people my preference because, numerous times, I have clearly stated the best way to communicate with me is email and or text messages.

NHS guidelines, for sensitive patient information, understandably emphasize the importance of using secure channels. The NHS, noting the existence of the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, must adhere to data protection regulations. Sending patient…