Capetonians can now book a clinic appointment online thanks to a pilot project led by Cape Town’s Health Department, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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The online appointment portal is based on the existing appointment system, which allows clinic staff to make appointments on behalf of clients.
Now, clients can make those appointments themselves, as well as cancel and reschedule bookings – just by using a cellphone.
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Mayco Member for Community Services and Health Councillor Patricia van der Ross said the pilot project puts clients in control.
‘Our clinics have migrated to a digital records system, so a patient’s details can be pulled up at any facility, irrespective of where they originally opened their folder.’
‘I want to encourage as many of our clients to use the system, not only to make their lives simpler but also to help us iron out any glitches,’ she added.
This is how it works:
- Access the portal via: healthcareappointments.capetown.gov.za or scan the QR code
- First-time users will be required to register by entering personal details such as their name and cell phone number
- Follow the prompts
- Receive a confirmation SMS
- To cancel or reschedule an appointment, log on with an OTP and use the reference number received
‘I also want to appeal to users to please stick to their appointment times by arriving at least half an hour earlier,’ Van der Ross said.
‘The ideal is to be seen within a reasonable time period of the appointment, but we cannot aim for that if clients are late. It causes knock-on effects that throw off the entire schedule. And, while staff will aim to abide by appointment times, they also have a duty of care to ensure that consultations are done as thoroughly as possible.’
‘These are exciting times for City Health, and I call on everyone to please work together so that we can build a system that works, for everyone’s benefit.’
An FAQ is available with more information: https://bit.ly/4dZ9NjB
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Picture: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash