What is the best online booking software for NHS GPs?

What is the Best Online Booking Software for NHS GPs?

Online booking software has become essential for NHS GP practices and service providers looking to offer patients a convenient way to schedule appointments while easing the administrative load on practice staff.

Within primary care, there are several online booking platforms, including Patient Access, the NHS App, SystmOnline that utilise the same Patient Facing Services API interface. Hero Health is an alternative that uses a different API and offers enhanced functionality. This guide breaks down the options and compares key features to help GP practices decide on the best online booking system.

Why Use Online Booking Software in NHS GP Practices?

Online booking systems offer an efficient and accessible way for patients to book appointments without calling the practice. They help reduce phone line congestion, improve appointment access, and provide an organized booking process for patients and staff alike.

Hero goes beyond just appointment booking, offering features like customizable intake forms, booking restrictions, and visibility into available slots before login.

Key Features to Look for in NHS Online Booking Software

Beyond the standard 'see time and book' functionality that you'd expect in any online booking solution, you should also consider the following:

1. Intake Forms: Do you need to capture additional information before appointments?

2. Restrictions by Age or Gender: Can the software restrict bookings based on patient demographics?

3. Cross-Organizational Booking: Does the system support booking across multiple sites or networks?

4. User-Friendly Interface: Does the software offer a simple, NHS-compliant booking process?

5. Visibility of Appointment Slots Before Login: Can patients view availability without logging in?

Comparing Online Booking Solutions for NHS GPs

1. Patient Access

Patient Access allows patients to book GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and access parts of their medical records. It’s integrated directly with many GP systems, offering seamless functionality.

Pros:

• Well-integrated with GP practice systems.
• Widely used by NHS patients, creating familiarity and trust.
• Provides prescription ordering and record viewing alongside appointment booking.

Cons (for appointment booking)

• Limited to basic booking options; lacks customizable intake forms.
• Requires login to see slots
• Requires manual registration at practice to access
• Does not offer advanced cross-organizational booking for PCNs or Federations.

2. NHS App

The NHS App is a comprehensive patient-facing app providing appointment booking, symptom checking, and access to NHS services.

Pros:

• Official NHS platform, offering high trust and credibility
• Multi-functional, including health tracking and prescriptions

Cons:

• Does not have customizable intake forms
• Lacks the functionality for practices to apply restrictions by age or gender
• Does not offer advanced cross-organizational booking for PCNs or Federations

3. SystmOnline

SystmOnline provides an online booking portal, allowing patients to schedule appointments and manage prescriptions. It’s compatible with TPP SystmOne practices, making it a reliable choice for these users.

Pros:

• Integrates seamlessly with TPP SystmOne.
• Patients can access their health information and prescriptions alongside booking.

Cons:

• Limited customization in the booking process (intake forms)
• Lacks intake forms and restrictions based on age or gender.
• Requires login to see slots
• Requires manual registration at practice to access

Or a better alternative: Hero Health

Hero is the advanced booking solution you've been looking for. Designed to meet the unique needs of NHS GP practices, PCNs, and Federations.

Pros:

• Integrated with TPP and EMIS
• Offers customizable intake forms, allowing practices to gather essential information before appointments
• Provides intelligent restrictions, enabling bookings to be filtered by age, gender, or specific practice requirements.
• Displays appointment slots before login, allowing patients to view availability easily.
• Supports cross-organizational bookings, ideal for practices within a PCN or Federation.

Cons:

• Not available within the NHS App

NHS Online Booking FAQs

Q: Can patients book appointments without logging in?

Hero Health offers the ability to view available appointment slots before logging in, making it easier for patients to browse availability quickly. Other platforms generally require login before viewing slots.

Q: Which platform supports booking restrictions?

Hero Health provides advanced booking restrictions based on age and gender, allowing practices to control access to certain appointment types (e.g., cervical smear tests only for females over 35).

Q: Are intake forms available on all platforms?

No, Hero Health is the only platform offering customizable intake forms that capture additional information before an appointment, which can be useful for triaging and streamlining in-clinic processes.

Q: Can patients book across multiple sites with these platforms?

Hero uniquely supports cross-organizational bookings, making it ideal for PCNs and Federations. It allows patients to book with different sites within the same network, which other platforms currently do not support.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Online Booking Software for Your Practice

The best online booking software for NHS GP practices depends on each practice's specific needs. For practices seeking basic functionality with high patient trust, Patient Access, SystmOnline or the NHS App may be sufficient.

However, for GP practices that need advanced customization, intake forms, booking restrictions, or cross-site capabilities, Hero stands out as the optimal choice. Its flexibility, cross-organizational booking features, and ability to gather essential patient information make it a valuable tool for practices looking to streamline their booking process while offering a superior patient experience.

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