To enhance the communication between healthcare organisations and their patients, we are upgrading the technology we use to send text messages, such as appointment reminders. You may hear this new system referred to as RCS (Rich Communication Services).
What is RCS? đ˛
RCS is the modern version of texting, an upgrade to standard text messages. It works over the internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile data), much like WhatsApp or iMessage, but it's built directly into your phone's standard messaging app.
What This Means For You
You don't need to take any action. This change happens automatically on our end.
It's more secure and reliable. This upgrade helps us ensure our important messages (like appointment confirmations) get to you safely and securely.
You'll always get the message. If your phone doesn't support RCS or you don't have an internet connection, our system will automatically send the message as a regular, traditional text (SMS). You will not miss any messages from us.
đ IMPORTANT: Please Do Not Reply to These Messages and use Accurx reply links only
Our text messages are one-way only and are sent from a system that cannot receive replies.
To reply, an Accurx reply link should have been provided to you, allowing you to enter your date of birth and submit your response.
If you need to reply to your healthcare provider and can't use an Accurx link, please check their website or call them directly to find the best contact method.
If you do reply to a message sent over Accurx RCS:
Your phone might show that it was "Delivered". However, direct RCS/SMS/MMS responses are not sent back to the healthcare organisation over Accurx.
You'll immediately receive an automated response.
This automated response will let you know that your message has not been read by a member of our staff.
What if I don't have a smartphone?
For non-smartphones or devices that do not support Rich Communication Services (RCS), RCS messages are automatically sent as standard SMS (Short Message Service) or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages. They appear exactly like any other traditional text message on the recipient's basic phone.
Here's how RCS messages will appear if RCS isn't supported:
Plain text: The message will appear as a basic text message, limited by character count (typically 160 characters per message).
No rich media: High-resolution images, videos, or audio messages sent by the original sender will be heavily compressed (as MMS) or not received at all, depending on the recipient phone's capabilities.
No advanced features: The recipient will not see typing indicators, read receipts, or interactive elements (like suggested replies).
Group chats as separate messages: Group conversations may appear as individual, separate messages from each participant, rather than a single continuous chat thread.
Comparing RCS to SMS & MMS
