In my experience I do get a text usually a day or so before each appointment, and they are either automated or the person sending them is exceptionally dry in their delivery. Might be worth asking next time you're in if you can be added to this system, as it might not be automatic for all new registrations. 30-40 minute appointments are probably reviews of some kind, diabetes, asthma, etc? or perhaps post natal exams with the high number of babies in the area? Contraception clincs maybe? Either way, seems a shame.