POOLE Hospital has launched a mobile app to enable outpatients to check in for their hospital appointment using their smartphone or tablet when they arrive.

The initiative is part of a range of measures to support infection control practices aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19.

Patients can also receive an alert through the app when their appointment is ready, allowing them to wait anywhere on site, not necessarily in the busy outpatients department.

Michele Roberts, outpatients department general manager, said the app will play a key role in helping the trust manage infection control and social distancing measures during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: "Mobile check in will help us safely manage the flow of patients in the department at any one time, for example by giving them the ability to check-in in on arrival in the hospital vicinity, and then wait there comfortably and safely before being notified via the app when it is time to move to their clinic area for their scheduled appointment.

"Patients can safely self-distance in outside waiting areas or in their cars until they are called for their appointment through the app."

Patients going to Poole Hospital can download the app by searching Intouch Mobile Appointment Manager in both the App Store and Google Play.