Skip to main content
Accurx Web: How to send Batch Messages (UHL)

Step-by-step guide on how to use Batch Messaging on Accurx Web at University Hospitals of Leicester

Moreen avatar
Written by Moreen
Updated over 2 weeks ago

🚨University Hospitals of Leicester Support Article🚨

What is Batch Messaging?

Accurx Batch Messaging allows you to send the same text message to a group of patients at once. This saves you time typing out individual texts if you're sending the same message to many patients.

There are currently 2 types of batch messages you can send:

1️⃣ One-way SMS message with the option to include an attachment

This one-way SMS message does not allow recipients of the message to respond. This is useful for a broadcast message regarding the cancellation of a clinic.

2️⃣ A questionnaire with structured responses

This allows sending a group of patients a text which contains a link to a pre-made questionnaire. This is useful in helping you to screen patients remotely or validate large waiting lists. Patient responses are delivered straight to your Accurx inbox and you’ll be notified on your NHS email. Alternatively, you can download a report of all responses from Accurx.

Automatic reminders to respond to the questionnaire will be sent on the 3rd and 6th day (from the time of delivery) to patients who haven’t responded.

How do I send a batch message?

  1. Click on "New" in the top left-hand corner then Batch message

2. Choose:

🅰️ “SMS” if you don’t expect a response from patients e.g. a clinic cancellation notice

Selecting message

Begin composing your SMS batch message either by selecting a template from the dropdown menu or by clicking directly into the Message field to start typing. You can also choose to add an attachment such as an information leaflet.

Compose page for batch message

🅱️ “Florey” if you want to send a waiting list validation questionnaire. (Florey is what we call our questionnaires which is what we’re using to allow patients to send us a response):

Selecting 'Florey'

Select a Florey template from the dropdown. Selecting a template will auto-populate the text in the message. Here you can edit the text to make it more applicable to you.

Compose page for batch Florey message

3. If you’re happy with your message, click “Add a patient list” at the bottom to move to the next page.

4. Next, you’ll have to upload your list of patients whom you want to contact. You can either:

🏥 Your CSV file should contain two columns detailing the NHS number and Date of Birth of your patients. Here’s an example below 👇

CSV file showing coloum headings

🏥 To Input patient details, copy and paste these from another system, please click on the drop-down How does this work? for more instructions.

🏥 To import from a Patient List you have saved, you'll be prompted to select a list you're involved in.

5. You'll then be taken to "Review patient list", once you've confirmed the intended recipients click "Continue".

6. Schedule the message:

Selecting “Now” will send the batch message immediately. Alternatively, you can also choose “A later time” allowing you to send the batch message at any date and time of your choice in the future.

We also provide the option for "Staggered sending" which allows the message to be sent in smaller groups with a time delay rather than all at once.

7. Press review at the bottom of the page to move forward.

8. Click “Send Message”.

How do I know my batch message has been sent?

Your Batch status will update from “Sending” to “Done” when all your messages have been delivered.

Batch message delivery statuses

There are a few different delivery statuses displayed below 👇

You can check on the progress of the batch message you’ve sent by clicking on ‘View details’.

In the pop-up, you can see when the message was sent, how many people were messaged and download a CSV of the delivery receipts and responses received (this can take a few days to completely update). You can also review the context of the message that was sent.

If you have any other questions at all, please chat with our support team by clicking the green message icon in the bottom right 👉

Did this answer your question?