There is no requirement to us SMS/Texting from Practice Toolkit. This can be controlled from the Settings/Messaging page.
Costs
Just like sending an SMS (text message) from your phone, SMS carriers break messages into 'segments'.
One SMS segment is 160 characters. You can write messages longer, and they'll be received as one message. The 'segment' just controls how it's billed to us and to you up to a maximum of 612 characters.
Up to 160 characters = 1 segment
Up to 306 characters = 2 segments
Up to 459 characters = 3 segments
Up to 612 characters = 4 segments
Up to 31st March 26 we charge 0.0225p per segment (equivalent to the discounted rate for Accurx, but without the set-up charges).
Carriers have increased their pricing from 1st April 2026 so charges will change to 0.0252p per segment
Billing
SMS/Text costs will be invoiced monthly at the end of each month covering anything used in that month.
Export instead
We actively encourage you to use our exporting facility to download a list of patients to invite to import and send via Accurx, Engage, iPlato or Hero Health. This has no charges from Practice Toolkit and messages sent will be via those services not ours.