PRACTICE chiefs have spoken out after complaints that patients at Moredon medical centre were not receiving text reminders of upcoming appointments.

The GP practice was taken over by the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust last November after trouble-hit firm IMH ended its contract in Swindon.

In a statement, GWH acknowledged there had been a problem: “We use text messaging to confirm appointments with patients and also to remind them 24 hours beforehand.

“Following an upgrade of our system in mid-January, appointments were still being confirmed via text message but reminders were not being routinely sent. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but are pleased to say this issue has been resolved.

“Our latest figures show that the number of people who missed appointments fell 15 per cent in January and we expect this trend to continue as we embed new ways of working within our practices.”