CONT_03EngagingContinuity of Care
Facilitate Follow-Up Appointments for Patients and Clinicians
Summary
Ensure appointment systems allow follow-ups to be booked at the point of care, rather than requiring patients to call back later.
Supporting information
Requiring patients to call back for follow-up appointments creates barriers, particularly for those with communication difficulties, complex lives, or limited access to phone or digital services. Direct booking ensures continuity and reduces missed follow-ups.
Approaches to implementation:
- Enable clinicians to book follow-ups directly during consultations
- Ensure booking systems have sufficient forward visibility for appropriate follow-up intervals
- Create protected follow-up slots that can't be released to routine booking
- Remove administrative barriers that prevent point-of-care booking
- Address digital barriers by maintaining non-digital booking options for follow-ups
- Use reminder systems to minimise the risk of patients not attending follow-up
Key benefits: Reduces barriers for vulnerable patients who struggle with phone systems and improves continuity by allowing appropriate follow-up.