--- title: Save time and effort by not using email to communicate with Patients description: Using email seems the simplest way to communicate with patients. Had you considered the benefits of not using email and how much time and effort can be saved. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.treeviewdesigns.co.uk/knowledge/save-time-and-effort-by-not-using-email-to-communicate-with-patients#main-content) ![Our Tree View Designs company logo](https://knowledge.treeviewdesigns.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/tvd-final-light-transparent.webp?width=300&height=48&name=tvd-final-light-transparent.webp) - [Submit a support request](https://knowledge.treeviewdesigns.co.uk/knowledge/how-do-i-contact-tree-view-designs-for-support) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Submit a support request](https://knowledge.treeviewdesigns.co.uk/knowledge/how-do-i-contact-tree-view-designs-for-support) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.treeviewdesigns.co.uk/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Digital Triage](https://knowledge.treeviewdesigns.co.uk/knowledge/digital-triage?hsLang=en) # Save time and effort by not using email to communicate with Patients ## Using email seems the simplest way to communicate with patients. Had you considered the benefits of not using email and how much time and effort can be saved. Using email seems the simplest way to communicate with patients. There are [dangers with promoting the email address](https://knowledge.treeviewdesigns.co.uk/knowledge/dangers-of-promoting-emails-on-your-website?hsLang=en) on the website as well as complications with [fulfilling Data Protection standards.](https://knowledge.treeviewdesigns.co.uk/knowledge/reasons-for-not-using-email-to-communicate-with-a-patient?hsLang=en) Seems simple enough, but had you considered the benefits of not using email and how much time and effort can be saved. --- ### Reduces the number of queries about matters already signposted on the website. - Patients will need to visit the site to contact you and in doing so are more likely to get the answer that they want, rather than emailing you because they heard something on the news. ### Stops having to contact the patient back because they have missed some vital information within their request. - SmartForms ensure you get all the information you need first time. ### Avoids the information in your email autoresponder being missed. - Patient often will not read any autoresponders that you have configured. Forcing your patients to visit the site will ensure they signposted correctly and you can enforce the acceptance that they have read any terms or service levels. --- ### The safest way to receive submissions The [PatientInbox](https://knowledge.treeviewdesigns.co.uk/knowledge/how-does-the-patient-inbox-work?hsLang=en) is the safest way to receive SmartForms because the patient’s submission is stored encrypted within the CMS rather than being placed directly into an email. PatientInbox initially displays only a reference number. An authorised member of the practice must securely sign in and deliberately access the submission before the patient-identifiable information is revealed. This keeps access controlled and limits unnecessary exposure of sensitive data. If submissions were sent by email, the patient’s full information would become part of an email message. Even when the receiving NHSmail account is secure, that message could be forwarded, downloaded, copied, synchronised to other devices, accessed through a compromised mailbox or accidentally sent to the wrong address. It would also create additional copies of sensitive patient information outside PatientInbox’s security controls. PatientInbox keeps the information encrypted, restricts access to authorised users and keeps the submission within one controlled system. 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