The Medical Centre has recently switched to a new online appointment system called Hot Doc which Practice Manager Beverlie Gardiner said will give patients greater convenience and flexibility when making appointments.

“It allows patients to make an appointment any time from anywhere,” Ms Gardiner said.

“They don’t have to phone us, they can make the appointment from their home computer or their mobile phone or device.  

“It’s a very easy user-friendly system.”

The new system sends SMS reminders to patients 24 hours before their appointment time.  Patients are asked to either confirm or cancel their appointment via a link in the SMS reminder.  

“The option for patients to quickly confirm or cancel their appointment is an improvement on our old system,” Ms Gardiner said.  

“If patients cancel their appointment we can then make that appointment available for someone else which reduces the waiting time to see a doctor on the day.”

Forbes Medical Centre will also be using the system to send reminders to patients for important reviews and follow up appointments such as pap smears, immunisations and spirometry tests.  

“We currently spend a lot of time trying to contact patients by phone to make follow up appointments but the new system will allow us to send SMS reminders asking patients to get in touch with us to arrange their follow up appointment,” Ms Gardiner said.

To access the new Hot Doc system just go to the Forbes Medical Centre website (www.forbesmedicalcentre.com.au) or download the free Hot Doc app from iTunes.

Once you are registered you can start making appointments and request prescriptions.

Forbes Medical Centre is located opposite Forbes Hospital in Elgin Street Forbes and is open 9am to 6pm. You can phone them on 68511300.

To find out more visit their website www.forbesmedicalcentre.com.au