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How to use online booking as a new patient

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช AU, UK, CA, ROI - How a new patient books an appointment using Portal, including booking recalls and paying deposits.

Hebe Neate-Clegg avatar
Written by Hebe Neate-Clegg
Updated yesterday

๐Ÿ’ก Top tip: See what this online booking works from the practice perspective with our guide here.

What does a new patient see when they book online?

Before patients can book appointments, you need to ensure you have created appointment types and enabled them so patients can book them.

If a new patient, who has never booked with you before, books an appointment through your online booking link (eg. via your website or a QR code):

  • They should select the 'I'm a new patient' option.

  • If you are a multi-site, the patient will then be asked to select the location they want their appointment to take place at.

  • The new patient will select the appointment type they need. This can include other treatments you may offer, such as Airflow.

  • They will be given the option to select a particular practitioner, or they can choose 'Any practitioner'.

  • The patient will then be shown availability based on what they have selected, and can choose a slot. They will not be able to see any slots less than 1 hour from the time they are booking (it is not currently possible to increase or decrease this minimum time).

๐Ÿ’ก Top tip: Users in Australia ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ and Canada ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ will see times listed in 12h format rather than 24h format, as this format is more widely used in those regions.

  • When the patient chooses a time, this slot will be held in the calendar with a grey block. The block will convert to an appointment if they complete the booking, or disappear after the expiry time. If the grey block does not disappear, this is not expected behaviour and we would recommend contacting Support.

  • If a deposit is required, they will be shown a payment screen, where they will confirm their choice and pay the deposit.

  • After any required payment has been made, a confirmation of the booking will be displayed.

  • After confirming the booking, the patient will be prompted to create an account so that they can manage and book appointments digitally. If they choose not to create an account, their appointment will still be confirmed and they will be prompted later to create an account.

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