Budget for clinics’ electronic bookings

A BUDGET of R5 million has been set aside for a project aimed to investigate possible ways to streamline City Health’s electronic booking system.

The City of Cape Town announced its plans to investigate the feasibility of an electronic appointment booking system at clinics and what the blueprint for such a system would be. There is also a similar investigation to update the digital patient records system.

JP Smith, the mayco member for safety, security and social services, said the budget would be set aside in the next financial year. He said the projects were the first steps of the technological makeover envisioned for the health department.

“Sadly, public health is often synonymous with long queues. But just because this is the norm doesn’t make it right. The investment being made with this budget allows us to work towards changing the norm and will allow clients the option of booking an appointment with a health care professional instead of clinics running solely on a first come, first served model. Of course, emergency cases will continue to be attended to on arrival,” said Smith.

The city council is responsible for more than 80 health facilities.

Such an investigation would have to take into account a number of things, including existing software solutions for appointment and patient record systems, and the type of electronic platforms clients would use to book appointments.

“Currently, patient files are kept and updated manually and stored at the clinics. The time- and cost-saving associated with storing and updating patient files electronically would be considerable,” he said. Smith recognised these projects required a lot of work, but said it was “certainly doable”. – Staff Reporter