And that’s a hard “no” from me.
So some web site that you have never heard of contacts you unsolicited and asks for identity theft details? What’s not to like?
One obvious problem is that on a phone it is difficult even to know where the link goes without actually going there.
I have found the hotdoc appointment SMSs can come from a number of phone numbers. Lately they appear to be coming from one number, perhaps a recognition of the randomness previously experienced. Each SMS for appointments has to date always referenced the clinic we use.
For requests to contact regarding results and similar they come from a different number again. These also reference the clinic.
Screenshot with removal of some identity data.
Thanks all for the feedback. Some reassurance?
HotDoc does provide the following advice re verifying SMS, per the link provided by @isopeda. My highlights of the content not evident in the SMS we received. Also not evident in how the webpage responded to @PhilT. Noting HotDoc advise the attached alphanumeric string should bring up the appropriate service provider and contact details.
HotDoc do provide a 1300 number, and other options for follow up of any issues with communications. Also the option or a preference to install their App and enable push notifications.
Our current GP uses an alternate service, although 2 prior practices are wedded to HotDoc.
P.S.
Thanks @grahroll for sharing your similar observation.
I don’t think that the SMS that you received would give any reassurance about where or whom it came from. If I received that message from some random phone number, it would be reported as spam using my phone options and it would be deleted, without any further investigation.
If you have found the SMS you received to be a legitimate SMS, I would be letting hotdocs, and the clinic that sent it, know that they need to fix the problem. It is to me, an unacceptable contact.
If you want to have a go enter some random details in the link and see what it does. If it rejects the randomness it might be worthwhile to contact your clinic(s) that might have you on recall, or if brave fill in your correct details, or contact hotdoc by form. Their phone, 1300 468 362, appears to be dedicated to the practices not the patients, but since they may be (mis)representing one of their customers maybe worth a call?
You say that this is not the service your current GP uses, then what could they possibly have to say to you about your health?
If it’s not a scam it could be spam.
It isn’t only GPs that use Hotdocs. Could also be a specialist, optometrist, dentist etc.
I took that as the default caller ID setting. A bit like businesses in the past which didn’t set a fax header and the one that appeared on the fax was that set as default by the manufacturer.
Yes.
Personally, when I’m not certain about a Text/SMS I just pick up the phone, call the number for that sender, and ask them…
PS not the number from the message and definitely not open the link.
What ever, my partner has deleted the text. The link manually typed resolves with a server not found error. Without further details of the clinic or service provider and a contact number HotDoc is not adding to the trust factor. If it is from HotDoc looking to verify ones details in some way - their general advice on line is to provide these through your GP etc. If it is purely about ones account with HotDoc the world is full of scammers asking one to verify or update details on line through email or SMS requests.
One possibility is someone else has attempted to register using the same mobile number and potentially other details, and it’s HotDoc triggering a verification. To that end the online support is limited, sending one on the usual merry go round. Ultimately it is trying to get you to solve the problem without inconveniencing HotDoc. The next best option HotDoc advise is to contact the clinic, or https://help.hotdoc.com.au/hc/en-gb/requests/new
Will let all know how it goes.
To note I’ve checked past SMS from all our recent providers and not so recent. All messages from HotDoc have reliably identified the provider including those advising everyday stuff such as having the latest flu vax or new staff etc.
Of interest none of the specialist services use HotDoc, nor most of the ancillary service providers. Worth a read for some - Terms of Service for Patient Users - HotDoc
Of course the easiest thing is to get in touch with your GP clinic and find out what is happening 
Only one problem: you said your GP doesn’t use HotDoc, so it seems that only HotDoc, if it’s them, can tell you what is happening?
It is more likely a health care professional one has used in the past sending out a broadcast text message to patients on its database. It could be for a range of reasons allowed for by Hotdocs such as promotions, changes to a practice (new doctors, operating hours, contact details etc), advertising new services such as flu clinics, skin checks or telehealth or reminders to make a scheduled appointment/followups.
If one has used a healthcare practice in the past, which now uses HotDocs, any of these could have broadcast the text message. We find ourselves, that more and more healthcare providers are using Hotdocs. This can be confusing as one often doesn’t know who sends the text unless one clicks on a link or calls the number where provided.
If it’s an AI generated message the above might apply 
Unless you meant something else HotDoc Recalls still resolves with the screen I posted. Discourse took the actual URL entered per your snippet and transcribed it into "HotDoc Recalls’. I did not type ‘HotDoc Recalls’ I typed the URL.
Though the hotdoc service did not identify the health service that issued the recall, this identification would be part of the normal procedure. Even on visiting the link, it provides none of that information. While it may be a valid request, it seems a broken outcome in this case…or perhaps an outdated request.
Usually if the request is stale, a click on the link resolves to the following page
Not quite a saga - we contacted HotDoc thru their online patient inquiry/feedback form. We needed to provide name, DOB, email and mobile contact details along with supporting content (PDF screen shots cropped) of the issue.
HotDoc were efficient in responding. Same day and following up the next day. The agent assigned was introduced by first name, was polite and English language competent, (email correspondence).
We received confirmation the original recall message and a second received earlier this week had an issue. The absence of identifying information for the GP clinic.
We subsequently followed the second request to the next stage as the HotDoc agent verified there was a genuine request behind the message. Unfortunately while doing so advised of a particular medical recall routinely expected - it still did not identify the clinic involved, or provide a contact phone number for the clinic. The revealed recall message included advice to phone the clinic on the number provided with the message. Alternately to click on a button to book through HotDoc. Clicking on the HotDoc button took one to a generic HotDoc booking screen requesting one to log into HotDoc first. There was still no indication of the clinic’s name or contact details.
Further feedback has been provided to the HotDoc agent. It’s surprising that the sequence we have followed starting with an SMS leaves one open to being scammed and personal data captured. One needs to either trust what is offered or have some extra level of understanding of how to check on the links being provided at each step to be confident. A bad actor only needs to match a name (first name only) with a mobile number or randomised combinations over many numbers to attempt a deception.
For those with a HotDoc account it would be prudent advice to never click on any links in messages from HotDoc. Rather to log in independently to the message to HotDoc through a secure browser or their App.
AFAIK One can also receive messages without having a HotDoc account assuming the practice has chosen to use HotDoc as a service provider. Knowing the nature of the recall message, we have assumed it is a previous provider (Two options of GP Clinic) and not a specialist or other.
The final paragraph and feedback from HotDoc.
We’ve now received a further communication from HotDoc advising the name of the GP’s practice. The explanation - the GP staff had not fully completed details in their front end to ensure their practice was named and phone contact/email details provided. However HotDoc’s system appears to have accepted the recall without the relevant data fields completed and sent the SMS request! Issue with the practice supposedly now remedied. No comment on whether HotDoc is also looking to update it’s system.
Just got a ‘missed call’ (I don’t pick up unknown numbers) from the number below. Didn’t leave a message.
It’s registered as the Westmead hospital in Sydney, but there’s also warnings that it can be used by scammers.
Would have been harder to ignore had it been a hospital in Melbourne,
although hospitals here usually text or email about a follow-up phone call.
