Explain appointment length and time at the practice

What to change

Distinguish appointment duration from the practical time a visitor should allow. Ask the local team to confirm the wording and avoid presenting an estimate as a guarantee.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A practice says the consultation lasts approximately thirty minutes and asks patients to follow their confirmation's arrival instructions. It offers reception contact details for anyone planning a collection immediately afterwards.

How to check the result

A visitor can plan travel using clearly labelled information rather than adding hidden assumptions to the slot length.

A mistake to avoid

Do not promise a precise departure time when the practice cannot guarantee it for every appointment.

Your action checklist

Use these checks to prepare a discussion with your team or supplier. Tick a check when you have recorded the decision or evidence, rather than when a feature has simply been promised.

Decisions to recordState what the published duration actually measures for the appointment.Explain any verified arrival instruction separately from the booked start time.Provide a route for visitors with a transport connection or other fixed departure requirement.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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