Missed appointments result in wasted clinician time and NHS resources, as well as longer waits for appointments for our patients. It is essential to make the best use of clinicians’ availability to ensure that our patients have access to appointments within an acceptable time frame.
As a practice we seek to minimise the number of missed appointments (e.g. by sending text reminders). We also always take into account individual circumstances where relevant.
When a patient fails to attend an appointment, the following steps will be taken:
- The clinician will review the patient record and consider any relevant information regarding why the patient may not have attended.
- They will contact the patient to inform them of the missed appointment. This will usually be by text, but maybe a phone call, email or letter if we do not have a mobile number on record.
- Patients who miss repeated appointments will be discussed by the GP partners, who will decide on appropriate action. Any action taken is at the discretion of the GP partners
The usual policy is as follows:
- After 2 missed appointments within a 12-month period a warning letter will be sent. This will advise that if a further appointment is missed then the patient may be removed from the practice list.
- In the event of a further 3rd missed appointment within 12 months, the partners have the right to remove the patient from the practice list. In this case the patient will be given a 2 weeks’ notice period, and required to register with an alternative GP practice.
It should be noted that this policy applies to all types of consultation – face-to-face, telephone, video and home visits. It also applies to consultations with all clinicians, including blood tests and nurse appointments.