Messaging
Last updated 25 April 2026
The Messages tab lets you send and receive secure, encrypted messages with clinics on Local Health Care. Use it for non-urgent questions about appointments, prescriptions, test results, and administrative queries.
What you can use messaging for
- Asking about appointment availability or wait times
- Requesting a prescription repeat
- Following up on test results (where your clinic shares them via the portal)
- General admin queries (billing, referrals, forms)
What messaging is not for
Clinic messaging is not monitored in real time. For urgent medical needs, call the clinic directly, call 000 for emergencies, or contact the national GP helpline for after-hours advice.
Response times
Response times vary by clinic. Most clinics reply within one business day. There is no guaranteed response window.
In this section
- Chatting with Your Clinic — How to start a conversation, what to expect, and message security details