We have better defined what is a "Quick SMS" by listing below the SMS that are free "Free SMS" and therefore included within free bundles. The details below also set out all the information you will need to understand the "fair usage" policy and charging of SMS

Surgery Connect SMS character count/limits vary per feature and can range from 160-450, depending on where the SMS is being generated from

Please check the SMS character count display which can be found at the bottom of all SMS feature windows

These are subject to our "fair usage" policy, which is set at 5,000 SMS segments per month.

If that threshold is exceeded they will be charged at 2.19* pence per SMS segment. For more information on SMS segments, see the below table

We will monitor the SMS threshold and we will contact you to advise you and identify ways to help if the threshold is exceeded

The following SMS features will be charged by segment and will have the 2.19* pence charge applied to them

These SMS are not within the definition of "Quick SMS"

For example; sending an SMS from a call flow (using the X-flow SMS block) can result in a customer using tens of thousands of SMS, since every patient who calls in on a mobile can receive several SMS segments

We want you to continue using our SMS features and have taken the decision to reduce the charge and only pass on the SMS NHS cost price of 2.19* pence per SMS segment

You can keep track of possible charges by using our SMS Overview Report

The larger character count messages can be split into 3 segments. On chargeable SMS you will be charged for each segment used. If you use your full character limit this would be 3 SMS segments