Doctor running late: delay update for patients
Warns waiting patients that the doctor is running behind, gives the new expected time and offers a reschedule, so nobody sits for an hour.
Your 5:30 pm{{4}} appointment should now start at around 6:15 pm{{5}}. We are sorry for the wait.
If that no longer works for you, tap Reschedule and we will offer you another slot.
It is a live update about the patient's own appointment, the clearest kind of utility message. There is nothing here that Meta could read as promotion, as long as you do not add one.
Variables
| Variable | What goes in | Example |
|---|---|---|
| {{1}} | patient name | Arjun |
| {{2}} | clinic name | Sunrise Clinic |
| {{3}} | delay | 45 minutes |
| {{4}} | booked time | 5:30 pm |
| {{5}} | new expected time | 6:15 pm |
When to use it
Send it to every patient booked after the delay starts, as soon as the doctor is more than 20 minutes behind. Patients forgive a delay they were told about; they do not forgive one they discover in the waiting room. It also spreads out arrivals, so the waiting area does not overflow.
Best time to send. The moment the delay crosses 20 to 30 minutes, ideally before patients leave home or office.
Quick reply for the WhatsApp Business app
No variables in the app: replace the [bracketed] parts before you send.
Hi [patient name], a quick update from [clinic name]. The doctor is running about [delay] behind today because earlier consultations took longer than planned.
Your [booked time] appointment should now start at around [new expected time]. We are sorry for the wait.
If that no longer works for you, tap Reschedule and we will offer you another slot.
/doctorrunning
Meta template-ready version
For WhatsApp Manager or any WhatsApp Business API tool. Checked against Meta's limits.
| Category | UTILITY |
|---|---|
| Language | English (en) |
| Header | Small delay today17/60 |
| Body | 309/1024 characters, 5 variables |
| Footer | None |
| Buttons | I will comeQuick reply, 11/25 RescheduleQuick reply, 10/25 |
Tips
- Give a realistic new time, then add 10 minutes. Being early beats a second delay message.
- Keep the reason generic. 'Earlier consultations took longer' is honest without revealing anything about another patient.
- Send it only to patients booked after the current one, not to the whole day's list.
Variations
Shorter or warmer versions of the same message.
Hi Arjun, the doctor is running about 45 minutes late this evening. Your 5:30 slot will start at around 6:15. Sorry for the trouble.
Update from Sunrise Clinic: we are behind schedule today. Please come by 6:15 pm instead of 5:30. Reply if you would like another day.
Send this automatically with Kredoo
Kredoo fills in the name, date and amount from your CRM or booking and sends it at the right moment: on confirmation, the day before, an hour before. Replies land in one shared inbox.
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In other languages: Clinic visit reminder in Hindi · Lab report ready to collect message in Telugu
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