By Medixo · · 4 min read
Send reminders automatically
The simplest fix is a reminder patients actually see. Send a message by SMS and email ahead of the visit, so it reaches people whichever they check first.
Doing this by hand costs staff time and gets skipped on busy days. Automatic appointment reminders run in the background, so nobody has to remember to send them.
Make rescheduling easy
Patients who cannot attend often stay silent because changing the booking feels awkward. Tell them in every reminder how to reschedule or cancel, and make sure a call or message is answered quickly.
Set a clear, friendly policy
Explain your cancellation expectations when the appointment is booked, not after a miss. Keep the tone helpful: the aim is to free the slot for someone else, not to punish anyone.
Keep a plan for last-minute gaps
- ✓Keep a short list of patients who would take an earlier slot.
- ✓Review tomorrow's schedule each afternoon and confirm any visits still unconfirmed.
- ✓Note repeat no-shows in the patient record so staff can follow up personally.
Related: Automated appointment reminders