Healthcode is launching ICE – an integrated channel exchange to deliver private health appointment booking on a national scale, with the potential of an international rollout.
At a launch event for the e-booking facility in London last night, the online IT solutions specialist revealed final testing on ICE is underway ahead of its rollout from 1 September.
Sharing real time information
Aimed at replacing multiple and disparate booking process across the sector, the facility enables providers to share real-time information about their services and availability allowing customers to find the information they need to make their online appointment.
The booking system is being tested by a number of hospitals and insurers who have signed up for the sandbox integration facility.
Using the sort of online booking technology synonymous with the travel sector, the facility uses a bespoke global distribution system.
The system enables providers, insurers and booking sites to link to a central hub where they can securely exchange and sync live information about services and availability. Third party users can then use their choice of booking site to search the network, explore which slots are free and book an appointment. Once the appointment is booked, the provider’s diary system automatically updates to make clear that that slot is no longer available.
Just the start
Speaking at the event, Healthcode managing director Peter Connor (pictured) told delegates the concept of e-booking has been used “very successfully” in travel and hospitality for many years.
“What a global distribution system does effectively is that it introduces and allows service providers to adopt numbers of channels and outlets,” Connor continued.
“If I talk about outlets in private healthcare, we obviously think about healthcare providers, hopsitals, insurers, but really that is just the start. We’ve not gone any further than that.
“E-booking will allow you as service providers to basically to offer your service approved website or outlet. Theoretically an infinite number of them.
“Get that distribiution out there. Get your availability out there.”
But Connor made clear that the facility would not create a “free for all” for appointment booking across private healthcare, adding service providers will be able to control to whom they publish their availability and to whom they allow access.
Changing perceptions toward e-booking
Though Connor conceded that it was not that long ago, when the company initially tried to get the idea of e-booking off the ground, that he was told that you could not do that in healthcare.
“We were told healthcare isn’t appropriate for online booking,” he added. “We quite often got resistance on that but I don’t hear that now. I think that viewpoint is pretty much dead and buried.
“Instead, I think the benefits of making products and services available to a wider group of customers to improve the patient experience far outweighs any potential downside.”
Possible international rollout
And when asked about a potential international rollout by Health & Protection, Connor said that this is possible as the system is web based, adding he would love to but will initially be “quite preoccupied” with the UK.