Cliniko SMS Reminders
Automated appointment & payment reminders for healthcare practices
WebSMS Cliniko App
Our official Cliniko integration connects directly to your practice management system. No coding required - just enter your API key and start sending appointment reminders and payment reminders automatically.
- Appointment reminders from 2 hours to 7 days before
- Payment reminders for overdue invoices (7, 14, 30, 60 days)
- Include Cliniko's online payment link in payment reminders
- Customisable message templates with patient details
- Works with all Cliniko regions (AU, NZ, UK, US)
What is Cliniko?
Cliniko is a comprehensive practice management software designed specifically for healthcare practitioners. Popular throughout Australia and New Zealand, Cliniko is used by physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, psychologists, podiatrists, massage therapists, and many other allied health professionals.
With features including online bookings, patient records, invoicing, and reporting, Cliniko helps healthcare practices streamline their operations. The WebSMS integration connects directly via the Cliniko API to automatically send SMS reminders to your patients.
SMS Reminders with Cliniko
Missed appointments and overdue invoices cost healthcare practices thousands of dollars each year. With WebSMS integrated into your Cliniko workflow, you can send automated SMS appointment reminders to patients, significantly reducing no-show rates and improving practice efficiency.
SMS reminders have a 98% open rate, ensuring your patients receive and read their appointment notifications. Unlike email reminders that may go to spam or be overlooked, text messages are read within minutes, giving patients time to confirm, reschedule, or cancel if needed.
Payment Reminders for Overdue Invoices
Improve your cash flow with automated payment reminders. When invoices become overdue, WebSMS can send friendly SMS reminders at intervals you choose - 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, or 60 days overdue. Each message includes the invoice amount and can include Cliniko's online payment link so patients can pay immediately from their phone.
Example messages:
"Hi Sarah, reminder: your appointment is tomorrow at 2pm with Dr Smith at City Physio. Reply C to confirm."
"Hi Sarah, invoice #1234 for $150.00 from City Physio is 7 days overdue. Pay now: https://pay.cliniko.com/..."
Simple, Transparent Pricing
No monthly fees, no contracts - just pay for what you send
Shared Shortcode
Most popular for healthcare practices
+ 1c per 3 replies received
- No monthly fees
- Two-way SMS replies
- Replies matched to patients
- Email & dashboard notifications
- Instant setup
Private Shortcode
Your own dedicated number
+ monthly shortcode rental
- Your own dedicated number
- Unlimited inbound SMS
- Branded sender ID
- Patients always see same number
- Ideal for multi-location practices
Example Monthly Cost (Shared Shortcode)
100 appointments/month
~$10
Based on 1 reminder each
300 appointments/month
~$30
Based on 1 reminder each
500 appointments/month
~$50
Based on 1 reminder each
Volume discounts available. See full pricing →
See It In Action
Simple setup, powerful results
Connect Your Account
Simply paste your Cliniko API key to connect your practice.
Configure Reminders
Set up multiple reminders with custom timing and message templates.
Customise Messages
Personalise your reminders with patient name, appointment details, and more.
Track Delivery
Monitor sent reminders and delivery status in real-time.
Click any image to view full size
Key Benefits
Appointment Reminders
Set up multiple reminders per appointment - send a heads-up 7 days before, then a final reminder 24 hours prior.
Payment Reminders
Chase overdue invoices automatically with SMS reminders. Include Cliniko's payment link so patients can pay instantly.
Reduce No-Shows
Studies show SMS reminders can reduce missed appointments by up to 40%, saving your practice time and revenue.
Patient Communication
Keep patients informed with booking confirmations, treatment follow-ups, and practice announcements.
Privacy Focused
WebSMS complies with NZ Privacy Act requirements. Patient data is handled securely and messages are kept confidential.
Two-Way SMS
Allow patients to reply to confirm or cancel appointments. Receive responses directly to manage your schedule.
NZ Healthcare Focus
Direct connections to New Zealand mobile networks. Local support team that understands healthcare practice needs.
Quick Setup Guide
Get started in under 5 minutes
Create WebSMS Account
Sign up for a free WebSMS account and add credit to your balance.
Get Your Cliniko API Key
In Cliniko, go to Settings → API Keys and create a new key for WebSMS.
Configure & Activate
Connect your API key and you're set with a 24-hour reminder. Add more reminders (7 days, 48 hours, etc.) as needed.
Common Use Cases
Appointment Reminders
Configure multiple reminders per appointment - e.g., 7 days and 24 hours before. Defaults to 24 hours.
Booking Confirmations
Instantly confirm new appointments with date, time, and location details.
Cancellation Notifications
Notify patients immediately when appointments are cancelled or rescheduled.
Recall Reminders
Remind patients when they're due for follow-up appointments or check-ups.
Treatment Follow-Ups
Send care instructions or check-in messages after treatments.
Practice Announcements
Inform patients about holiday closures, new services, or important updates.
Privacy & Security
How we protect your patient data
What Data We Store
We store only the minimum data required to send reminders and match patient replies:
- Patient first name (for personalised messages)
- Phone number (to send SMS and match replies)
- Appointment ID (to prevent duplicate reminders)
We do not store clinical notes, medical history, or other sensitive health information.
Why We Store It
This data serves specific purposes:
- Reply matching: When a patient replies to a reminder, we match their phone number to send the reply to Cliniko
- Duplicate prevention: We track sent reminders to avoid sending the same reminder twice
- Reduced API calls: Caching reduces load on Cliniko's servers
Encryption at Rest
Your Cliniko API key is encrypted using AES-256 before storage. Patient data is stored in encrypted databases.
Configurable Retention
You control how long we keep data. Choose from 1 to 24 months, and we automatically purge older records.
NZ Privacy Act Compliant
We comply with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and follow best practices for handling health-related data.
For more details, see our Privacy Policy or contact us with any questions.
Alternative Integration Methods
For advanced users who prefer custom implementations, you can also integrate using these methods:
Using Zapier
Connect Cliniko with WebSMS through Zapier for custom workflow automation.
- Sign up for a Zapier account (free tier available)
- Create a new Zap with Cliniko as the trigger app
- Select New Appointment or Updated Appointment as the trigger event
- Add Webhooks by Zapier as the action to call the WebSMS API
Using Cliniko Webhooks (Advanced)
For developers who want complete control, use Cliniko webhooks with a custom handler.
- Log into your Cliniko account as an administrator
- Navigate to Settings → Integrations → Webhooks
- Configure webhooks to send appointment events to your server
- Process the webhook data and call the WebSMS API to send SMS
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cliniko SMS integration
How much does Cliniko SMS cost with WebSMS?
WebSMS charges 10 cents per SMS to New Zealand and Australia. There are no monthly fees or setup costs - you only pay for messages sent. The Cliniko integration itself is free to use.
Does the WebSMS Cliniko integration work in Australia?
Yes, WebSMS works with Cliniko accounts in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. SMS to NZ and AU costs 10 cents per message. The integration connects via Cliniko's API which works regardless of your Cliniko region.
Can patients reply to appointment reminders?
Yes, WebSMS supports two-way SMS. When patients reply to a reminder, their response is automatically matched to their patient record and can be viewed in your WebSMS dashboard or forwarded to email. This allows patients to confirm, cancel, or ask questions.
How far in advance can I send appointment reminders?
You can configure reminders from 2 hours to 7 days before appointments. You can also set multiple reminders per appointment - for example, one at 7 days and another at 24 hours before. The default is a single 24-hour reminder.
Is patient data secure with WebSMS?
Yes, WebSMS is compliant with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. We only store minimal patient data (name, phone number, appointment ID) required for sending reminders. API keys are encrypted with AES-256, and you can configure automatic data purging from 1-24 months.
What is the best SMS integration for Cliniko?
WebSMS is a dedicated Cliniko SMS integration built specifically for New Zealand and Australian healthcare practices. Unlike generic SMS providers, WebSMS offers direct Cliniko API integration, local NZ/AU phone numbers, two-way messaging, and healthcare-focused features like configurable data retention for privacy compliance.
Do I need technical skills to set up Cliniko SMS reminders?
No coding or technical skills required. Setup takes about 5 minutes: create a WebSMS account, copy your Cliniko API key from Cliniko Settings, paste it into WebSMS, and configure your reminder timing. The integration handles everything automatically from there.
Can I customise the SMS reminder message?
Yes, you can fully customise your reminder templates. Use placeholders like {patient_name}, {appointment_date}, {appointment_time}, and {practitioner_name} to personalise each message. You can also set different messages for different reminder timings.
Can I send payment reminders for overdue invoices?
Yes, WebSMS can automatically send payment reminder SMS for overdue Cliniko invoices. Configure reminders at 7, 14, 30, or 60 days overdue. Each message includes the invoice amount and can include Cliniko's online payment link so patients can pay instantly from their phone. Set a minimum invoice amount to only chase larger debts.
Ready to Reduce No-Shows & Improve Cash Flow?
Sign up for a WebSMS account and connect your Cliniko practice in minutes. Send appointment reminders and chase overdue invoices automatically. Pay only for the messages you send.
Related Use Cases
Other ways healthcare practices use SMS