Clinical letters now available in the NHS App
We have improved how we send clinical letters to patients at The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Many patients already receive their appointment letters digitally through the NHS App and DrDoctor. You can now receive your clinical letters in the same way.
This means your letters are quicker to access, easier to keep track of, and securely stored in one place. Printed letters will still be available for anyone who needs or prefers them.
How you will receive your letters
Most clinical letters are now sent to you digitally by default.
- You will receive a notification in the NHS App when a new letter is available.
- If you do not view the letter in the app, you will also receive a text message or email reminder from DrDoctor.
- If you prefer printed letters, you can update your preference at any time.
Where you can find your letters
You can view your letters securely through:
- NHS App (recommended)
- DrDoctor patient portal
- Care Information Exchange (CIE) if you are registered
The NHS App is the easiest place to keep all your appointments, letters and test results together.
Choosing digital or printed letters
You can choose how you want to receive your letters.
You can update your preference:
- In the NHS App
- Through the DrDoctor portal
- By contacting your clinic, who can update this for you
Some letters will always be posted, including for:
- Patients under 18
- Patients who have opted out of digital letters
Why this change helps you
Sending letters digitally helps:
- Get information to you more quickly
- Reduce delays caused by printing and postage
- Make letters easier to find and store safely
- Reduce paper use
- Provide a consistent experience across NWL hospitals
No action needed to start
You do not need to do anything to begin receiving digital letters.
If you haven't already, we encourage you to download the NHS App so you can view your letters securely as soon as they are sent.