This use of the iPLATO platform to communicate Swine Flu specific information is a great way to use the text messaging channel - which has proved to be both a highly responsive and by definition 'personal' method of GP Surgery/Patient communication. Furthermore, the system allows information to be targeted to specific patient groups that most need it, allowing patients to text back a reply (as appropriate) arriving at the surgery as an email to a predefined email address.

The Camden surgeries sent out a text message advising patients on the best steps to take should they suspect that they (or a family member) might be showing the symptoms of Swine Flu. The messages were aimed at encouraging patients to phone a flu pandemic line first rather than call or visit their surgery. It also provided an opportunity to signpost patients to a relevant website to access further Swine Flu specific information.

The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, has said that in the worst case scenario 30% of the UK population could be infected by the H1N1 virus, with 65,000 killed. By using every available communication channel to update patients on what to do if they think they have Swine Flu, Healthcare Provider Organisations can potentially greatly decrease the impact of the Swine Flu pandemic.

The Camden GP surgeries are certainly leading the way by seeking to utilise all their resources and demonstrating best practice by using the iPLATO text messaging service in this way. Since sending out the message the surgeries have had less Swine Flu patients coming into the surgery in person and more patients calling up instead as advised.

The use of the iPLATO system in this way has shown how effective the text messaging channel can be in a pandemic scenario. The more the population is educated about Swine Flu the better, and with GP users across 40+ PCTs, the iPLATO platform could play a very significant role in support of this.

Sandra Anderson, Senior Administrator of the Rosslyn Hill Practice in NHS Camden said, "Since sending out the message it has eased pressure off our surgery. Patients are calling in and getting advice about Swine Flu instead of coming into the surgery in person. It's important to contact patients by all means possible when it comes to a pandemic and we are very happy to have iPLATO Patient Care Messaging to help us do that. Since so many of our patients have mobiles, text messaging is the best way to contact them quickly."

Jeff Mitchell, IT Manager of the James Wigg Practice in NHS Camden said, "Using the text messaging service to reach 8,500 patients led to an immediate decrease in the volume of calls concerning swine flu and an increase the hits on our website where we provide Q&A for the patient. We know people are very concerned about Swine Flu and we want them to know what to do if they think they are infected. Many of our patients have mobile phones and text is a great way to send out a message instantly."

Related news articles:

• iPLATO's Profile

About iPLATO
iPLATO enables a mobile health network which currently links up several thousand General Practitioners in the UK with their more than 5 million patients. Across the network we are - at any given time - running campaigns to promote smoking cessation, weight loss, childhood immunisation and pandemic awareness as well as mobile disease management services for people with diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy and HIV.

2008 saw extensive roll out of iPLATO Patient Care Messaging to GP surgeries across 12 Primary Care Trusts in England. Recognised by the European Commission as one of the top ten early stage technology ventures ready to "reshape their industry and to conquer the global market" iPLATO has also featured on the Red Herring Europe Top 200.

Our solutions improve patient access to healthcare, deliver population-wide mobile health promotion and support people with long term conditions. Our mission is to support patients in achieving longer, healthier lives.