It is a good thing if all staff are able to do all tasks so that they may alternate tasks, and absence of a staff member does not impair the routine. In almost all cases this will be done by telephone. Appointments should be made in a way which avoids overcrowding, so that the list can be handled smoothly with ample time for every patient. Time must be kept available for unforeseen problems. Further advanced pregnancies take more time and have a greater possibility of complications.
Patients also tend to stay longer in the clinic.
Therefore advanced pregnancies should be scheduled at the end of the session, young pregnancies in the beginning. These patients are appointed at the beginning of the day and examined first. While the regular list is started the clinic reception can schedule them in if they can be treated, or try to find another solution for them. She should be encouraged to come for examination and counselling if she is not sure whether she wants to finish her pregnancy or not. It is a good policy for a clinic to grant this pre-exam and counselling free of charge and state in advance that a patient will not be persuaded to have an abortion done.