---
title: "Registration by Verified SMS"
canonical: "https://wiki.patientsknowbest.com/space/DEPLOY/3540385812/Registration%20by%20Verified%20SMS"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (toc)
# What
You can invite patients to register for Patients Know Best (PKB) by sending an SMS directly to their mobile phones. If patients have smartphones, they can quickly register with one tap or be directed to the organisation's PKB webpage to register via NHS Login.
This method is highly scalable, allowing you to register large groups of patients at once or target individuals as needed.
# Why
Most healthcare organisations maintain extensive, regularly updated databases of patient mobile numbers. SMS messaging provides a direct, convenient channel to engage patients and encourage their involvement in their care journey.
# When to Send SMS
### Mass Campaigns
- At organisation go-live, encourage all patients who have had contact within the last X years but do not have an email address to register via SMS.
- Ongoing campaigns targeting unregistered patients.
### Targeted Campaigns
- When clinical teams go live, send SMS to unregistered patients in those teams.
- Before a patient’s appointment or activity, prompt them to register to access their information.
### General Activity Notifications
- New appointment bookings.
- New clinical correspondence (e.g., referral or discharge letters).
- New test results (lab, imaging).
- Digital questionnaires (e.g., Waiting List Validation, Pre-Op assessments).
# How
There are four main options available for sending SMS messages:
*Note: NHS providers can send a set amount of SMS messages free of charge. Contact your PKB Success Project Manager for more information.*
# Recommendations
Having an SMS template to support patient registration, using the recommended points below, can help encourage registrations and reduce patient queries about the content.
1. Use a single SMS where possible. This avoids message splitting and link or token corruption, especially on older phones.
2. Keep the SMS clear and concise.
- Either link to the Organisation’s PKB webpage with FAQS and a registration button.
- Or directly link to PKB’s pre-populated registration page via token.
3. If two SMS messages are necessary
- First SMS: Explain the reason for registration (e.g., access to letters or questionnaires).
- Second SMS: Provide the registration link.
# SMS Registration Links
There are four primary ways to register patients via SMS. Please select the link that best fits your specific workflow.
### 1. General Registration (Recommended)
Link: [https://patientsknowbest.com/register/](https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&source=gmail&q=https://patientsknowbest.com/register/) Best for: General invitations and mass notifications. Why: This is the most patient-friendly starting point. It clearly explains the registration process and offers the patient a choice of how to sign up, making it the most versatile option for SMS.
### 2. Direct NHS Login
Link: [https://my.patientsknowbest.com/nhs-login/login](https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&source=gmail&q=https://my.patientsknowbest.com/nhs-login/login) Best for: Patients who already use the NHS App. Why: This bypasses the PKB welcome screens and takes the patient straight to the NHS Login portal. Note: Your organisation must manually add the patient to the correct clinical team for them to see their data.
### 3. Customised Organisation Login
Link: [https://my.patientsknowbest.com/?team=ORGTEAMCODE](https://my.patientsknowbest.com/?team=ORGTEAMCODE) Best for: Specific clinic or trust branding. Why: This is a branded version of the standard PKB login page. It helps build trust by showing the patient they are in the right place, though it provides less guidance than the general registration page. *(Please obtain your ORGTEAMCODE from your PKB Success PM).*
### 4. Automated Team Assignment via NHS Login
Link: [https://my.patientsknowbest.com/nhs-login/login?pkbNhsLogin=true&teamCode=ORGTEAMCODE](https://my.patientsknowbest.com/nhs-login/login?pkbNhsLogin=true&teamCode=ORGTEAMCODE) Best for: Self-referral pathways or "waiting room" registrations. Why: This is a powerful link that both authenticates the patient via NHS Login and automatically adds them to your specific team in one journey. This is ideal for workflows where the patient is not yet in your PKB system. *(Please obtain your ORGTEAMCODE from your PKB Success PM).*
## Example SMS Templates
### SMS Token Example
*Access your online health record from [Trust Name]. Register at *[http://joinpkb.com/?t1=xxxxxxxxxx&t2=yyyyyyyyyy](http://joinpkb.com/?t1=xxxxxxxxxx&t2=yyyyyyyyyy) * More info [organisation* *web link]*
### SMS Pre-Comms Example
*We'll shortly be inviting patients/you to sign up to our Patient Portal (PKB). Look out for an email invite soon.*
### SMS Link Example
*[Organisation Name] invites you to access your health record details through Patients Know Best (PKB) via the NHS App. For more info: [Organisation website]*
*[Service Name] are moving over to secure messaging and would like you to register. Click **[trust website]*
### Waiting List Validation Example
*You are currently on our [insert speciality] waiting list for an outpatient appointment or procedure/surgical treatment. We are reviewing our waiting lists and require some further information from you. Please click on the following [Organisation website] to sign up for our patient platform, Patients Know Best. You will find a short questionnaire to complete there.*
*It is important for you to complete this questionnaire, as you may be discharged to your GP*
*and removed from our waiting list if you do not.*
*Thank you,*
*[Organisation Name]*
# Supporting Communications
To ensure a successful SMS campaign, preparing clear communications for patients in advance helps build their trust in the security and privacy of PKB and ensures they don't think it is fraudulent. Below are some essential examples of communications that need to be shared.
- Publish information on the organisation’s website about PKB and the registration process.
- Direct patients to NHS Login links from prominent locations on your website, such as the homepage navigation.
- Brief all staff, including call centre, reception, clinical, and support staff, so they can confidently answer patient queries.
- Use social media to raise awareness and build trust.
Patients who receive well-supported communications are more likely to trust the SMS content and complete registration without concern.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with your PKB Success Project Manager for further assistance with setting up SMS registration campaigns.
# Further Information
- [PKBs SMS Service](https://wiki.hub.patientsknowbest.com/wiki/spaces/DEPLOY/pages/4747985305): Lets organisations use their own [GOV.UK](http://gov.uk/) Notify account to send timely, targeted text messages.
- [eMeet and Greet with PKB](https://wiki.hub.patientsknowbest.com/wiki/spaces/DEPLOY/pages/3819929880): SMS notifications for new referrals
- [Gov.notify for sending text messages (SMS)](https://wiki.hub.patientsknowbest.com/wiki/spaces/MAN/pages/4581294112): How to use [GOV.UK](http://gov.uk/) Notify with PKB to send automated SMS messages
- [SMS Notifications](https://wiki.hub.patientsknowbest.com/wiki/spaces/MAN/pages/3624665101/Notifications#SMS-notifications): For Organisations wanting PKB to send SMS notifications