NHS England has launched messaging service to support people with suspected symptoms of coronavirus.
Titled NHS Covid-19, it has been commissioned by NHSX and built by NHS Digital and the NHS Business Services Authority.
It is available to anyone registering their symptoms and contact details with the 111 online service, and will provide messages for users to check their condition and receive any help needed to get through the isolation period.
They will have to complete the online assessment and provide information on when the symptoms arose, their age and mobile number.
People who do not want to receive the text messages can opt out at any time.
Worrying experience
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I know all too well that experiencing symptoms can be worrying, but for those living on their own it will be even more so. Alongside other measures, this new daily text service will reassure our most vulnerable that they are not alone, and also to help them manage their symptoms.
“Technology, combined with our heroic staff on the frontline, have played a huge role in battling this virus and I encourage everyone to use this new service.”
The launch follows last week’s introduction of a text service to alert people considered to be the most threatened by coronavirus. It was developed by the same agencies as the next service.
Image from nhs.uk, Open Government Licence v.30
