By Sean Murphy
A GP surgery has requested that patients should stop contacting them directly on their mobile phones.
The plea was issued by Letterkenny Doctors Surgery so that patients’ messages and appointment requests are not missed.
A spokesperson said: “We have noticed a significant increase in patients contacting doctors and other members of our team directly through personal mobile numbers, text messages and messaging apps.
“While we completely understand that this is often done for convenience, unfortunately we can no longer manage patient communication through personal phones.
“There are a few important reasons for this. Personal messages are not automatically recorded in your medical record.
“Messages may be missed when a doctor is off duty, on leave or busy with clinical work.
“Personal phones are not an appropriate secure channel for confidential medical information.
“Increasing data protection and GDPR requirements mean that patient communication needs to take place through our approved practice systems.
“Doctors’ personal mobile numbers are not monitored as part of the practice service and should never be used for urgent medical problems.”
A GP surgery has requested that patients should stop contacting them directly on their mobile phones.
The spokesperson added: “From now on, we would ask that all patient communication is made through the official practice channels, including reception, our practice telephone system and the secure online services available through our website.
“If you have previously communicated with a doctor through their personal mobile number, please don’t be offended if you are redirected to the practice or if you do not receive a reply.
“Personal phones are not monitored practice communication channels, and messages sent in this way may not be seen or responded to.
“This is simply to ensure that your message is dealt with safely and appropriately, and that important clinical communication is recorded in your medical record where necessary.”