Training Blog

Statistics show that more than £600 million is the cost to the NHS for patients failing to keep hospital appointments. That’s enough to run two medium-size hospitals! The figures show that between 2007 and 2008 6.5 million patients missed appointments which cost hospitals £100 per patient in revenue. In order to compensate for this some places are overbooking to compensate for people not attending, however there are drawbacks with this idea such as disadvantaging patients if 100% attendance occurs. Young males appear to make up the biggest portion of those that don’t attend appointments. At the opposite end of the scale people aged between 70 and 74 were the most conscientious in terms of attending appointments. However it isn’t all doom and gloom, over the past few years the attendance figures have improved slightly in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Unfortunately the same can’t be said about Scotland where figures have increased.

Schemes such as sending text message reminders are being rolled out by the Department of Health. Whilst some say that missing appointments is unforgivable Unison is saying that the patients are not to blame when appointments are arranged months in advance. Other initiatives such as the choose and book scheme have also been introduced in order to reduce the number of missed appointments.

It is common courtesy to inform the doctor that you won’t be able to make the appointment or that you no longer require their services. Obviously this can’t be done if you forget but simply not attending is just rude and also selfish as not only is it wasting health professionals’ time and money but it is also impacting on others such as those who are on waiting lists or need to make an appointment but are unable to get one because the doctors are fully booked.