Health New Zealand is improving the way it communicates with South Island patients by introducing an email-based system to send appointment letters.
However, to ensure patients receive these communications, they are being asked to not automatically consider them spam but follow the verification process outlined below instead.
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand regional data and digital lead Kirsty Martin said patients who had previously provided Health NZ with an email address would receive an email prompting them to visit a secure website to validate their email address.
They would then receive their future appointment letters by email, she said.
Some appointment information would continue to be sent via post when email was not appropriate, for example, when a patient was asked to return information to Health NZ that is relevant to their appointment.
"Currently, 1.2 million appointment letters are posted annually in the South Island, yet it’s not the most efficient way for patients to receive information promptly or securely," Ms Martin said.
"As well as added security, patients will receive their appointment details faster, it supports environmental sustainability and, depending on the uptake, reduces the cost associated with traditional postal services."
