Medical Centre Waiting Room Screens: 15 Content Ideas for Australian Clinics
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Most waiting rooms have a TV in the corner. Usually it's playing daytime television on mute, or a slideshow nobody has updated since last winter.
That screen could be doing a lot more. It can answer questions before patients ask reception, promote services people didn't know you offer, and make the wait feel shorter.
Here's what to show, what to avoid, and how to set it up without adding work for your front desk.
What should you show on a medical centre waiting room screen?
The best waiting room screens mix three things: practical information (hours, billing, how the queue works), health reminders that match the season, and services your clinic offers that patients may not know about. Keep each slide to one message, use large text, and change content regularly so regular patients don't tune it out.
Below are 15 ideas, grouped by what they do for your clinic.
Practical information (cuts down questions at reception)
1. Opening hours and after-hours options
Show your regular hours, public holiday changes and where to go after hours. It's the question reception hears most.
2. How billing works
Explain your billing clearly: who is bulk-billed, when a gap fee applies, and what payment methods you take. Clear information up front means fewer awkward conversations at the desk.
3. "How our queue works"
Patients often get frustrated when someone who arrived later is called first. A simple slide explaining that appointments, walk-ins and urgent cases are handled differently heads off a lot of complaints.
4. Running late? Here's what to expect
If your clinic runs behind, say so kindly. A message like "Our doctors take the time each patient needs. If we're running late, thank you for your patience" sets expectations without making promises.
5. Online booking and your app
Show a QR code linking to your online booking page. Patients waiting now are the easiest people to get booking their next visit online.
6. Repeat scripts and results
Explain how patients request repeat prescriptions, referrals and test results. It saves phone calls later in the week.
Seasonal health reminders (timed to the Australian calendar)
Most waiting room content online is written for the US or UK. Your screen works better when it follows the seasons your patients are actually living through.
7. Flu vaccination (autumn)
Start flu vaccine messaging in autumn, ahead of the winter season. Tell patients whether you're taking bookings and who is eligible for a free vaccine under the national program.
8. Sun safety and skin checks (spring and summer)
Remind patients about sun protection and promote skin checks if your clinic offers them.
9. Allergies and hay fever (spring)
A short slide on managing hay fever and when to see a GP about it is useful and timely in spring.
10. Back-to-school and travel
Summer holidays and late January are good times for travel vaccination reminders and back-to-school health checks.
Your services and team
11. Services patients don't know about
Many patients only know you for the reason they first came in. Use the screen to show the full list: health assessments, chronic disease care plans, mental health care plans, women's and men's health, minor procedures, and allied health if you have it on site.
12. Meet the team
Introduce your doctors, nurses and allied health staff with a photo, their name and their areas of interest. It makes your clinic feel friendlier and helps patients choose a regular GP.
13. New doctors and new services
When a new GP starts or you add a service, put it on the screen first. Your waiting room is full of the people most likely to use it.
Comfort and atmosphere
14. Calm nature visuals
Slow, calm footage of beaches, bush and water helps make the wait feel shorter. Mix these in between information slides so the screen doesn't feel like an ad break.
15. Content for kids
If you see a lot of families, a corner screen with gentle, silent kids' content helps keep children calm.
What to avoid on your waiting room screen
Getting the content wrong can cause more problems than having no screen at all. Keep these in mind.
Don't show full patient names
If you use the screen to call patients or show queue status, use a number or a first name and initial, not a full name. Australian privacy law covers health information, so check with your practice manager or privacy adviser before showing anything that identifies a patient.
Be careful with testimonials and claims
Advertising for health services in Australia has its own rules, set out in Ahpra's advertising guidelines. In general, avoid patient testimonials about clinical care and any claims about results. If you're unsure whether a slide is OK, check Ahpra's guidance or ask your professional body before it goes live.
Don't use too much text
If a slide needs more than a few seconds to read, it's too long. One message, big text, high contrast.
Don't leave it stale
A screen showing last winter's flu clinic dates tells patients nobody is paying attention. Schedule seasonal content ahead of time so it changes on its own.
How to set up your waiting room screen
Choose a commercial display, not a TV
Waiting room screens usually run all day, every day the clinic is open. A commercial display is built for long running hours, while many consumer TVs aren't, and running them non-stop can affect the warranty.
Pick the right size for the room
Think about the furthest seat. The person at the back of the room should be able to read your text comfortably. In most GP waiting rooms, a 55" or 65" screen works well on the main wall.
Use a digital signage CMS
A CMS (content management system) lets your practice manager update the screen from a computer: upload slides, set a playlist, and schedule seasonal content weeks in advance. No USB sticks, no climbing on chairs.
Add a touch screen or kiosk for check-in
A touch screen kiosk at reception can let patients check in, update their details or find their way around a larger medical centre. It takes pressure off the front desk at busy times.
Don't forget the front window
Your waiting room screen talks to patients already inside. A bright, window-facing display talks to everyone walking past: your hours, bulk-billing information and flu clinic dates, readable even in full sun. (See our guide: How bright should a window display be?)
Quick content plan for the year
| Season | What to feature |
|---|---|
| Summer (Dec–Feb) | Sun safety, skin checks, travel vaccines, back-to-school checks |
| Autumn (Mar–May) | Flu vaccine bookings, health assessments |
| Winter (Jun–Aug) | Cold and flu care, when to see a GP, after-hours options |
| Spring (Sep–Nov) | Hay fever, skin checks, chronic disease care plans |
| All year | Hours, billing, online booking QR code, team, services |
Frequently asked questions
Can I just use a TV in my waiting room?
You can, but a commercial display is the better choice. It's designed to run for long hours, and it works with a digital signage CMS so you can schedule content instead of updating it by hand.
How often should I change the content?
Refresh the seasonal slides every season, and add something new at least once a month. Regular patients will notice the screen again when something changes.
How long should each slide be on screen?
Around 8 to 12 seconds for a simple slide is a good starting point. Keep the full playlist short enough that someone waiting 15 minutes sees most of it.
Should the screen have sound?
Usually not. Sound in a waiting room can be distracting and makes it harder for reception to call names. Use captions on any video.
Can I show health advice on the screen?
Yes, general health information from trusted sources such as government health websites is a good fit. Keep it general, and remind patients to talk to their GP about their own situation.
Turn your waiting room into your best communication tool
Your waiting room screen is the one piece of marketing every patient sees. Keep it practical, seasonal and easy to read, and it'll answer questions, promote your services and make the wait a little easier.
SONIQ supplies commercial displays, touch screen kiosks, window displays and a digital signage CMS for medical centres and clinics across Australia.