What the Best Clinics Do in December to Make January a Bumper Month

December is a unique time of year in healthcare. There’s a festive buzz, a few public holidays, and for some, a much-needed break. But for many clinic owners, there’s also a creeping anxiety: what’s January going to look like?

If you’ve ever come back from the Christmas break, opened your diary, and been hit with a sea of white space and empty appointments, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.

The good news? The best clinics don’t leave January to chance. They use December as the launchpad for a strong start to the year.

Let’s walk through what they’re doing differently—and how you can do the same.

The Typical December Trap

Here’s the usual pattern we see:

• The focus is all on filling December.

• Cancellations pile up and you're scrambling to keep the books looking okay.

• Therapists start saying things like “give us a call in the new year” when booking clients.

And then what happens?

January rolls around… and you’re in reactive mode:

• Emailing your database trying to fill the diary.

• Running last-minute ads.

• Hoping new grads don’t start without a full caseload.

• Feeling stressed, uncertain, and already behind.

Sound familiar?

What Top Clinics Do Differently

Here’s the shift: Top-performing clinics don’t wait until January to start thinking about January. They use December to prepare.

Let’s break it down.

1. They Book Ahead—Every Client, Every Time

If you’re in a private-pay clinic or see a mix of funding types, you’ll know December often includes a short closure. But that doesn’t mean client care should pause.

Too often, we hear “give us a call in the new year.” But this leaves clients confused:

• When should I call?

• Should I come back if I’m 80% better?

• Do I still need care?

This creates perceived indifference—and leads to drop-offs.

Here’s what top clinics do instead:

• Every client is booked ahead into January according to their management plan.

• Anyone who hasn’t been discharged should have an upcoming appointment.

• By the end of December, the only clients without bookings are those who’ve been officially discharged.

Pro tip:
Audit your “discharge list” and compare it with “clients without upcoming appointments.” They should match exactly. If not, you’ve got work to do before the break.

2. They Prepare for Funded Client Gaps Early

In NDIS or paediatric clinics, you’ll often have clients booked months in advance. That’s great—but the holidays can still throw a spanner in the works.

Here’s what smart clinics do:

• In early November, therapists or admin staff ask families what dates they’ll be away over the holidays.

• With that notice, you can fill those gaps strategically:

  • Bring in clients from the waitlist.

  • Offer intensive blocks or additional sessions to existing families.

  • Run holiday programs or group sessions.

Waiting until a week before the break makes this way harder.

3. They Learn and Improve Every Year

Top clinics don’t just “get through” the silly season. They reflect on it.

In January, ask yourself:

• What worked well?

• What would I do differently next year?

• When should I start planning for this again?

Then come October or November, pull out those notes and build them into your strategic plan.

Because here’s the truth:

A successful January is the result of decisions made in November and December.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re running a private clinic, working with funded clients, or managing a hybrid model—how you finish the year matters.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking January will fix itself. Prepare now. Book ahead. Plan around closures. Communicate clearly.

And remember: if January feels great, it’s because of what you did 30–60 days prior.