Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions or issues you may experience with viewing appointments on the DrDoctor portal and receiving appointment reminders.
If you have an appointment the portal allows you to:
You will receive text messages to your mobile phone, from which you will be able to access our online patient portal (DrDoctor) by following the link included in the text/email or by logging into the portal directly
From the patient portal, you can:
Make sure that we have your up to date mobile number and email address so that we can contact you. Ask the receptionist to check we have these details when you have your next appointment.
The below screenshots show how the information may look for text reminders and when accessing the DrDoctor portal (click images to open larger image if needed).
You can update your contact details by logging into the portal and going to the 'Settings' menu. If you cannot get online, please let us know and we can update it for you.
Log in to the DrDoctor patient portal
If we have the most recent mobile number for you then you should receive reminders by text message. Visit the patient portal and check your contact details in the 'Settings' menu, you can update them here if they're incorrect.
Log in to the DrDoctor patient portal
You can also check with us that we have the most recent number for you. If we have this, you will then receive confirmations and reminders for your future appointments.
You can personalise the messages you receive or stop them altogether by visiting the patient portal and updating your settings.
Log in to the DrDoctor patient portal
You can also reply ' STOP' to any message that you receive, which will end text message reminders.
If you have accidentally ended text message reminders by replying 'STOP' or have changed your mind, you can turn reminders back on by replying 'UNSTOP' to the last message you received from us. You can also personalise your communication preferences by visiting the online portal and updating your settings.
You can add your email address via the patient portal, under the 'Settings' menu to receive email reminders as well as, or instead of, text message reminders.
Log in to the DrDoctor patient portal.
If you cannot access the online portal, please let us know at reception or the next time you speak to us, and we can update it for you.
Text message replies will be free if you have a text message bundle with your phone service provider. Otherwise, you will be charged at your provider’s standard rate.
If you are using a device that is not your mobile number we will send a one-time code to the mobile number we have registered for you. This can be validated by entering your last name, date of birth, and postcode.
This will also occur if you are using a direct link from a notification message that is more than seven days old.
This is to make sure it is secure and only you can access your private information.
Text messages sent by DrDoctor will come from the number 07860 039 092
You can view all of your outpatient appointments that are at the main hospital on the patient portal. You can also add them to your personal calendar from the portal.
You can't currently you view other types of appointments or appointments with our community services on the portal.
If your appointment has just been booked, please be aware it can take up to 24 hours for your appointment to appear on the online portal.
You will only be able to see outpatient appointments at the main hospital and only appointments from March 2025 onwards.
When you receive your appointment notification text message, you can respond to the text message with 'CHANGE' to reschedule your appointment or 'CANCEL' to cancel your appointment.
If you request to cancel your appointment you will be asked to input your date of birth to confirm you want to cancel, as you will not be sent a further appointment for this clinic.
You can also change or cancel your appointment by following the link on your appointment notification and managing your appointment through the DrDoctor patient portal. Clicking on your appointment within the patient portal will give you an option to change or cancel your appointment, including the option to give further information to the booking centre (for example, your availability or your reason for cancelling).
Log in to the DrDoctor patient portal
Please note: the direct links in your text message reminder will have an extra security step after 7 days. This means that after 7 days you will be sent a one-time code to your registered mobile phone number to ensure only you can access the link.
You can also call the telephone number on your appointment letter to change or cancel your appointment.
You can update your number at any time in the DrDoctor patient portal
Log in to the DrDoctor patient portal
If you can't log in to the portal, please contact the number on your appointment letter to inform them of your new number.
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the DrDoctor patient portal in general, and solutions to issues you may experience.
DrDoctor is a digital health company. They provide a convenient way for patients to manage appointments while reducing costs, saving time, and developing better overall experiences for patients.
We have partnered with them to deliver messages and services to you about your appointments and your care and treatment. It also provides the platform for our video appointments. Text messages from them about your appointments at Homerton Healthcare are sent on our behalf.
To enable us to deliver this service, DrDoctor will have access to your contact information but will not have detailed information about your health.
DrDoctor is accredited to the highest standards set by the NHS for protecting the healthcare information of UK citizens, see their certification.
For more information, please see DrDoctor’s privacy policy.
Your video appointments will not be recorded. If you use the chat message function whilst in your call this will not be recorded or stored.
The patient portal ensures that appointment information is never lost and is easily accessible wherever you are and whenever you need it. Going paperless means that you are supporting the NHS to be more environmentally friendly.