The Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) has appointed HealthEngine its official online booking system and health directory partner, with AGPAL-accredited practices eligible to receive Australia’s most popular Online Booking System at no cost.
The partnership between Australia’s leading general practice accreditation agency and the country’s largest Online Booking System provider and Health Directory will see more than 4,000 Australia GPs being able to provide their patients with the convenience and access that comes with the introduction of online booking technology.
Dr Marcus Tan, HealthEngine CEO and Medical Director, said, “HealthEngine helps people find the right care at the right time; this new initiative will help open up the capacity of the Australian health system at a much faster rate and given practices what they need and patients what they want. Additionally, it has always been a challenge to explain to patients what quality in healthcare looks like. As part of our partnership with AGPAL, HealthEngine’s Online Directory will identify practices who meet AGPAL quality accreditation.”
In order to become AGPAL-accredited, practices must undergo an independent on-site review of their systems and processes and meet a set of nationally recognised standards. Dr Stephen Clark, CEO of the AGPAL Group of Companies, said, “Currently few patients are aware of the rigorous processes practices undergo in order to become accredited. This initiative will help to educate them about this. “I am very pleased to be working with HealthEngine, a site that reaches vast numbers of consumers, to be able to use this channel to increase the awareness of the Australian public about the benefits of visiting an AGPAL accredited practice.”
Recently recognised as one of Australia’s most innovative companies by Business Review Weekly, HealthEngine enables patients to find, book and manage health appointments online, 24/7, and is the most comprehensive online health directory in Australia. With over half a million patients using HealthEngine each month, the opportunity to educate a large percentage of the Australian public is significant.
Dr Tan said, “We are proud to be working with AGPAL to educate the Australian public and fill this gap with information; it’s wonderful to be associated with the market-leading accreditation provider being that they service over 4,000 practices across Australia. We encourage other health practices to take on accreditation as part of their commitment to quality.”
Interested practices can contact HealthEngine on 1300 187 551 or complete the enquiry form at www.healthengine.com.au/agpal.
