GP clinics using texts for sexual health programmes

Due to the rapid increase of STDs in the UK over the past few years, an increasing number of GP Clinics in London are adopting a new texting system to boost awareness of their sexual health programmes. It is hoped that the new texting system will urge patients to go and have screening tests for STDs such as Chlamydia and Syphilis.

Why has the texting system been implemented?

The new texting system, called iPLATO Patient Care Messaging, will be used to urge people to get screened for STDs or to request a Chlamydia self-testing kit if they feel they have been exposed to the infection.

Grace Kamel, Administrator at one of the GP clinics which uses the iPLATO system said: “Getting hold of young adults for sexual health checkups is often difficult to do. The system makes it a lot easier.”

She also added that: “We decided to use texts messaging, because texting is very popular amongst young adults. The use of text messaging in this area is a really innovative idea – it’s immediate, convenient and non-intrusive.”

How does it work?

The iPLATO system can be integrated with the doctor’s surgery computer. A specific group of patients is chosen and when compiled, a group text is sent to the patient’s phones.

The iPLATO system is also being used in other parts of the country for Public Health Announcements such as child immunisations, obesity and smoking.