diff --git a/src/widget/widget.service.ts b/src/widget/widget.service.ts
index 41a0559..e2cbeb7 100644
--- a/src/widget/widget.service.ts
+++ b/src/widget/widget.service.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export type FindOrCreateLeadOpts = {
     source?: string;
     status?: string;
     interestedService?: string;
+    createPatient?: boolean; // default false — only booking creates patients
 };
 
 @Injectable()
@@ -60,26 +61,27 @@ export class WidgetService {
         const lastName = name.split(' ').slice(1).join(' ') || '';
 
         if (resolved.isNew) {
-            // Net-new visitor — create Patient + Lead with the widget-
-            // collected name. Both records get the real name from the
-            // first moment they exist.
+            // Net-new visitor — create Lead. Patient is only created
+            // when explicitly requested (e.g., booking an appointment).
             let patientId: string | undefined;
-            try {
-                const p = await this.platform.queryWithAuth<any>(
-                    `mutation($data: PatientCreateInput!) { createPatient(data: $data) { id } }`,
-                    {
-                        data: {
-                            name: `${firstName} ${lastName}`.trim() || 'Unknown',
-                            fullName: { firstName, lastName },
-                            phones: { primaryPhoneNumber: `+91${phone}` },
-                            patientType: 'NEW',
+            if (opts.createPatient) {
+                try {
+                    const p = await this.platform.queryWithAuth<any>(
+                        `mutation($data: PatientCreateInput!) { createPatient(data: $data) { id } }`,
+                        {
+                            data: {
+                                name: `${firstName} ${lastName}`.trim() || 'Unknown',
+                                fullName: { firstName, lastName },
+                                phones: { primaryPhoneNumber: `+91${phone}` },
+                                patientType: 'NEW',
+                            },
                         },
-                    },
-                    this.auth,
-                );
-                patientId = p?.createPatient?.id;
-            } catch (err) {
-                this.logger.warn(`Widget patient create failed (${phone}): ${err}`);
+                        this.auth,
+                    );
+                    patientId = p?.createPatient?.id;
+                } catch (err) {
+                    this.logger.warn(`Widget patient create failed (${phone}): ${err}`);
+                }
             }
             const created = await this.platform.queryWithAuth<any>(
                 `mutation($data: LeadCreateInput!) { createLead(data: $data) { id } }`,
@@ -263,6 +265,7 @@ export class WidgetService {
                 source: 'WEBSITE',
                 status: 'APPOINTMENT_SET',
                 interestedService: req.chiefComplaint ?? 'Appointment Booking',
+                createPatient: true,
             });
             // Idempotent upgrade: if the lead was reused from an earlier chat/
             // contact, promote its status and reflect the new interest.