AIBU?
to think this text is rude?
Mintyy · 16/09/2015 10:11
How much does it cost to put a please or thank you in a text?
"Mintyy, we are expecting you at the x department at x hospital on x date at x time. Not attending costs the NHS £160 approx. If you cannot attend call 12345678"
RUDE!!
myself.IssyStark · 16/09/2015 10:15
I think it is fine for a text. Texts are short and to the point. Not everyone has smart phones and can deal with long text messages. Given the dept and hospital name are in there, I'm really not too bothered at the lack of please or thanks.
That said, it is obviously annoying some people so if they want to make their nudge policy work, then adding a Thanks at the end is probably going to be more successful.
PermetsTu · 16/09/2015 10:16
You could suggest it on a comment form though? Perhaps write your own proforma.
Dear Much Loved Patient,
We await your attendance at x hospital at x time with barely contained joy and anticipation.
Hugs, cuddles and snuggles
Mr Smith
Clinical Lead
PS S.W.A.L.K
Hope all's well. 
PleaseLetThisNameChangeWork · 16/09/2015 10:19
I used to love getting those texts - brilliantly helpful reminders when your appointments have been booked months in advance. My hospital has stopped sending them, it's a PITA. I can see that a 'please' before the 'call 12345678' would soften it, but maybe they have a character limit?
Mrsmorton · 16/09/2015 10:19
Texts come from an automated system. Would you feel happier if it said:
My dear Minty, we would like to invite you to a hospital appointment which is free at the point of service and which you almost certainly want as you have been referred to us by your also free at the point of service GP. Please would you attend s it's an awful waste of resources if you don't. Thanks ever so.
It's not a tinder match, it's a medical appointment. YABU. Bet fewer than five patients a day use the words please or thank you in the department.
RiceBurner · 16/09/2015 10:24
Not rude IMO, just business-like and to the point.
Rude is when patients do not turn up on time/at all and waste NHS money/time. (And this seems to happen quite a lot.)
It's already nice of them to send you an SMS, as I assume you already knew of the appt and this was just to remind you?
So YABU.
AnonymousBird · 16/09/2015 10:28
These messages are very carefully constructed - there is a whole industry of advisers out there who come up with very precisely worded message (not just for NHS!) to elicit the desired response, ie. this exact wording will have been proven to ensure a higher %age of people turning up. I know someone who has done this as part of their job..... You can bet your bottom dollar that adding PLEASE takes away the impact and makes people think ah, there never mind if I don't go.
ElizabethLemon · 16/09/2015 10:33
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
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