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2 Days Prior SMS Appointment Confirmation (Cliniko Users Only)

Automatically send patients an SMS reminder 48 hours before their appointment to cut no-shows and late cancellations.

Written by Flori

Missed appointments and last-minute cancellations can disrupt your clinic’s schedule and revenue—studies show no-show rates of up to 30%. By sending an SMS reminder two days before each booking, you give patients ample notice to confirm or cancel, reducing no-shows by as much as 50%. With Cliniq Apps integrated into Cliniko, you can set up a fully automated, customizable reminder workflow that updates your calendar the moment a patient responds.

1. Create Your Message Template

  1. In Cliniq Apps, navigate to Automations → Message Templates.
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  2. Click New Message and choose Appointment Confirmation+.
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  3. Name it clearly (e.g., 2 Days Reminder).
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  4. In the SMS editor, enter your script. For example:
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    Hi {FIRSTNAME}, this is a reminder of your appointment at {NEXT_LOCATION} on {NEXT_START}.
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    Please confirm by clicking the link below:
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    Clinic Name

2. Customize the Confirmation Page

  1. Under your new template, select Customize Confirmation Page.
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  2. Upload your clinic logo for consistent branding.
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  3. Edit the Header Main Line to your clinic name.
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  4. (Optional) Add any extra instructions or welcome text.
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  5. Label the action buttons:

    • Confirm Button (e.g., “I Will Attend”)
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    • Refuse Button (e.g., “Cancel My Appointment”)
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    • Call Clinic (auto-dials your clinic number)
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  6. Enter your staff email under Send confirmation status to.
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  7. (Optional) Enable “Send patient form upon confirmation” if you collect intake or follow-up forms.
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  8. Save your changes.
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3. Build Your Automation

  1. Go to Automations → New Automation.
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  2. Name it 2 Days Reminder.
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  3. Under Unsubscription Category, select a category (e.g., A) for easy opt-out management—learn more here.
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  4. For Automation Type, choose Appointment Reminder.
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  5. Toggle Recurring Automation, then click Continue.
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  6. Under Filter, click Select → Patients with Appointments.
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  7. Choose your clinic location (or All Locations).
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  8. Add these conditions:

    • Their Appointment → More Than → 2 Days
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    • AND → Appointment Date → Between → 2 days and 3 days in the future
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  9. Click Then → Communicate with my patient or my team.
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  10. Click Then again and select Communicate with patient.
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  11. Choose send appointment confirmation+ and select the 2 Days Reminder SMS template you created in Step 1.
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  12. Under Delay, set 1 hour after the patient joins the automation to ensure the template processes correctly.
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4. Activate & Monitor

  • Click the Play (▶️) button to start the automation.
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  • Test by creating a mock appointment two days ahead and confirming you receive the SMS.

  • Watch appointment notes and your inbox for confirmation or cancellation notifications—each patient response logs automatically in the appointment note in your Cliniko diary.

Automated two-day reminders will help you:

  • Slash no-shows and late cancellations

  • Keep your daily schedule full

  • Boost patient engagement with timely prompts

  • Save staff hours previously spent on manual follow-ups

Need Help?
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If you have questions or need further assistance with Cliniq Apps, chat with us via the in-app messenger or email support@cliniqapps.com.
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Enjoy a smoother, more profitable practice!
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