1stGroup managing director, Klaus Bartosch

1stGroup, an ASX-listed software provider has taken Australia by storm, capturing 60% of the independent optometry market in a couple of years. Now it’s planning to roll out its unique, socially-integrated practice support platform in New Zealand.

Independent optometrists across the country are being invited to attend presentations in February in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch* so 1stGroup can explain its point-of-difference and why it managed to expand so quickly in Australia.

Managing director, Klaus Bartosch says he’s excited to bring this technology to New Zealand as it significantly reduces administrative work for optometry practice staff, makes it simpler and easier for the patient to interact with the practice, improves the patient experience and drives new patients into optometry businesses.

According to 1^stGroup’s research, patients are increasingly engaging with healthcare services online and it is estimated that 50% of patients now book their appointments online, including new patients. The company’s software platform, MyHealth1st includes an online appointment booking system, designed to make it simpler and easier for patients to interact with practices; EasyRecall, to maintain the connection to patients; and EasyFeeback for tailored patient surveys. Using the MyHealth1st platform, patients can book appointments 24/7, in real time via the practice’s own website, Facebook or blog page. The software is also fully-integrated with many practice management systems, including Sunnix Vision and Optimate, says Bartosch.

“There are huge opportunities for optometry practices to broaden their business using 1^stGroups’s suite of digital patient engagement products such as EasyRecall and EasyFeeback. 80% of patients don’t come back to the same practice, but Easy Recall encourages loyalty and helps improve the customer experience so they do come back. This automated and integrated system simplifies and tracks recalls. It also sends patients a first notice and further notices to those that did not attend”

1stGroup is all about independent optometry, says Bartosch, providing independents with the software tools they need to better compete. “We love working with independent optometry. We want to level the playing field by providing independents with simpler and better tools, allowing them to be more efficient and effectively compete with the corporate market. Independent optometrists in New Zealand are savvy business people and will embrace this software. We have had tremendous customer feedback so far.”

The MyHealth1st booking system has already been rolled out across 20 practices in New Zealand and the aim is to extend this to a further 100 practices by the end of the year, says Bartosch.

Visualeyez boutique optometrists in Whangarei is one of the first New Zealand practices to use 1^stGroup’s software and director and dispensing optician, Craig Robertson, admits he’s a fan. “I find the software excellent (and) user-friendly. Once you’ve set it up, it maintains itself. It links live and directly to the Optimate software, which is great. You can see the appointment roster and when it’s free. It’s just effortless. Especially for the younger generation who want to book online. It’s really working well.”

Robertson says he’s noticed an increase in new patients recently and believes that’s also partly due to his new booking system as it makes it so easy for new patients to go from Googling for a practice to reaching out and contacting you.

1stGroup is also partnering with contact lens company Alcon on a campaign to encourage more contact lens (CL) wearers by using marketing touch points to educate patients about the benefits of lenses to initiate discussion with their optometrist.

About 1stGroup

1st Group, formerly known as 1st Available, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on 9 June 2015. Its aim is to build a health-based digital community, “where health providers and patients connect 1^st.”

The company completed the acquisition of GObookings, Clinic Connect and DocAppointments in 2015; launched a new brand, PetYeti, in 2016 to support the pet services space; and in 2017 rebranded and renamed its original 1stAvailable healthcare portal as MyHealth1st.

By June 2017, 1^stGroup had grown to 5,500 installed sites on its platform’s and had booked more than six million online appointments since 2012. In Australia its customers include pharmacies, doctors, dentists, optometrists, allied services, specialists, natural therapists, radiology, vets, and corporate and government agencies. In its marketing material, the company says it is the market leader in pharmacy and optometry in Australia.

1stGroup’s software enables appointment bookings, recalls, continued patient contact and surveys. In late 2016, the company also launched a range of additional products including, self-check-in kiosks and apps, patient clipboard apps, advertising and a call centre app to help practices grow their revenue from their existing customer base. More products are in the pipeline.

“We improve lives by connecting consumers to a variety of healthcare services and information anytime, anywhere, so they can get well sooner and stay well longer,” states the company.