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  • Can an AI receptionist handle after-hours calls for a medical practice?

    • By Kotresh Aradyamath, Registered Nurse and Founder of MayaAI ยท Published 12 October 2026

    SHORT ANSWER

    Yes. MayaAI answers calls 24/7, so after-hours callers can book, reschedule or cancel appointments and leave messages. What happens to urgent calls is defined by each clinic's own policy, and callers describing a medical emergency are directed to call 000.

    What after-hours callers can do

  • Book, reschedule or cancel appointments directly in Cliniko, Halaxy or Best Practice.
  • Ask routine questions the practice has approved answers for, such as opening hours, location and parking.
  • Leave a message for the team to follow up the next business day.

    • Urgent calls follow your policy

    Maya is configured clinic by clinic. Your practice decides which situations are passed to an on-call number, which become a priority message, and what wording Maya uses. Maya follows the instructions your practice sets; she does not make clinical judgements.

    Limitations

  • MayaAI is not an emergency service and does not give medical advice.
  • After-hours transfers require an on-call number or process supplied by the practice.

    • Frequently asked questions

    Does MayaAI replace a locum or nurse triage service?

    No. MayaAI is an administrative assistant. It handles bookings, messages and practice-approved information only.

    What happens if a caller describes an emergency?

    Callers describing a medical emergency are directed to call 000, in line with the wording your practice approves.

    More guides

  • How much does an AI medical receptionist cost in Australia?
  • How does an AI receptionist transfer calls to clinic staff?
  • What privacy and security considerations apply to AI receptionists in Australian healthcare?
  • How should a practice evaluate an AI receptionist before choosing a vendor?