It is the practice's responsibility to make sure that you have a generic email address which is able to send SMS texts, if you’re not sure please check with your local IT prior to enabling appointment reminders.
Configuring Types
For those appointment types which you DO NOT want SMS reminders to be sent (EG telephone, triage etc)
Click on Settings (left hand side)
Click on Practice Details (Right hand side)
Click on Types tab
Edit the type
Click on the additional tab
Tick the ‘Do not issue automatic SMS reminders for this type’
Tick the ‘Do not issue automatic SMS confirmation for this type’
Tick the ‘Do not issue automatic SMS DNA messages for this type’
OK
Repeat the above for each type which you DO NOT want SMS reminders to be sent
Configuring the email account to send the SMS text message
Click on Settings (left hand side)
Click on Communication Settings (right hand side)
On the SMS Gateway tab
If NHS email - add the email address in the sender field (address able to send SMS texts)
If MJOG - Click on the down arrow next to SMS Via Mail and select MJOG API
Click onto the MJOG API tab and enter the account token (provided by MJOG)
If Essendex - Click on the down arrow next to SMS Via Mail and select Essendex
Click on the Essendex tab and enter the account details
Click on the SMTP Service tab
Username - type in the email address
Password - type in the password of the email address
Click on OK
Testing the SMS messages are now sending OK
Click on Communication Settings (right hand side)
Click on the SMS Via Email tab
On the SMS Gateway tab click on Test SMS (bottom right)
Type in your mobile number
Click on send
Sent message will confirm that the configuration is correct
You should receive a no reply text message (may be a delay)
Note: if an error is generated it’s possible the SMS account has not been configured correctly. Please check all steps have been followed in the ‘configuring the email account’ above.
User configurable prompt to collect a patient's contact number
Click on Settings (left hand side)
Click on User Details (right hand side)
Click on the Display tab
To see a prompt for the patients contact number UNTICK 37 ‘do not display prompt to collect patient contact number’ and click on OK
To suppress the prompt for the patients contact number TICK 37 ‘do not display prompt to collect patient contact number’ and click on OK
Switching on SMS Appointment Reminders
Click on Utilities (left hand side)
Click on Appointment Reminders (right hand side)
Tick ‘Enable reminders’
Tick ‘Enable Confirmations’ if this is required
Tick ‘Enable DNA Reminders’ if this is required
Click on the Reminders tab
Tick ‘ Do not send reminders for appointments booked for the same day’ if this is required
Tick ‘ Only send one reminder for joint appointments’ if this is required
Select Default 1 or Default 2 text (most practices select default 2 as there’s currently no facility to cancel the appointment by replying to the text. If you select default 1 I’d recommend removing the reply 123 from this message)
Click on the Confirmations tab and check the text (if enabled above)
Click on the General tab
Opt in / out - default (require opt in / out) is recommend however there are different options available on the drop down
Send message as: SMS only (default)
Click on OK
Appointment reminders are now configured and ready to send to patients who have opted into Appointment Reminders.