Melbourne start-up HotDoc fast-tracking COVID-19 testing during pandemic

A Melbourne-based start-up is seeing a surge in business by helping fast-track Aussies’ COVID-19 test during the pandemic. Here’s how HotDoc’s helping ease the healthcare system’s load.

Melbourne-based tech start-up, HotDoc, is Australia's largest patient engagement platform and has partnered with the Federal Government to help them roll out COVID-19 testing. HotDoc founder Dr Ben Hurst is pictured at the Armadale Family Clinic. Picture: Ian Currie.

Melbourne doctor Ben Hurst has helped create the nation’s largest patient booking system which is being used to help fast-track COVID-19 testing across the country.

The Melbourne-based tech start-up, HotDoc, has rapidly grown in its eight-year history and now has 16,000 GPs on the platform and has been used one in five Australian patients.

The booking technology software will be used at more 100 Federal Government GP respiratory clinics set up nationally.

Dr Hurst said their bookings have quadrupled in two years from 300,000 to 1.2 million monthly bookings.

“The Federal Government wanted a solution that’s as efficient as possible, so this is a way it can be delivered to patients easily,” the 37-year-old said.

“Patients can just get on their phone, press the book online button, go through a few steps, confirm their book and just turn up.”

Melbourne-based tech start-up, HotDoc, has been created by Dr Ben Hurst to make patient booking quicker and easier particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Ian Currie.

Mother-of-two Kate James, 40, works part-time and said the app saves her time by being able to make bookings at any time of day, even when her doctor’s clinic is closed.

“I often forget to ring the doctor during business hours, it’s not until after hours that I think I have to take the kids to the doctor,” she said.

“I can log-in whenever I want and do it then, I can see when the available appointments are instead of ringing reception and trying to figure out what appointments are available.”

The Federal Government and joined forces with HotDoc to help speed up the online booking of appointments at respiratory clinics.

A Department of Health spokesman said the Federal Government had announced a $206.7 million scheme to support the creation of 100 GP-led respiratory clinics in helping protect Australians against COVID-19.

“The Commonwealth has engaged HotDoc to assist with the online booking of appointments at the respiratory clinics,” the spokesman said.

Mobile locations have been set up across the country to divert respiratory patients away from hospital emergency departments and other general practices.

HotDoc has 90 staff in Melbourne, growing from just 10 staff in 2015.

More than 16,000 GPs use the booking service

@sophieelsworth

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