1000 hospital dates missed in a month

MP’s outrage over massive cost to NHS

Health bosses are counting the costs of 1000 missed hospital appointments in Ayrshire in July.

MP Bill Grant has blasted people for failing to turn up for medical dates at NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

He saw the statistics posted on the electronic information board at Ayr Hospital recently.

He said the cost can range from £ 25 to £ 175 in terms of wasted staff- time, wasted equipment or medication and the cost of re- scheduling.

Mr Grant said: “If you add in all the did- not- attend- figures from GP surgeries, we are looking at a colossal waste of time and money.”

He continued: “A missed appointment is a wasted appointment and can lead to longer waiting times for all patients.

“I know the both Ayrshire & Arran and many GPs operate a text reminder service, which is helpful in reducing DNAs.

“And, of course, there are times in all of our lives when something unavoidable turns up. In these circumstances, I would urge folk to let the relevant hospital or GP surgery know as soon as they possibly can.

“The onus is on the patient to get to his or her appointment.

“We have to find ways to ensure people turn up – and stop showing contempt for our NHS, doctors and nursing staff.”

Liz Moore, director for acute services at the NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: “We would urge anyone who has an appointment and who cannot attend to contact us to cancel it.

“This allows us to offer the appointment slot to another patient. We appreciate that there are many reasons why patients may be unable to attend a previously arranged clinical appointment and we have put in place a number of measures to make it easier for patients to get in touch to re- arrange or cancel their appointment.

“These include using a patient telephone and text reminder system which sends an automated reminder to the patient’s mobile or home telephone number up to seven days before their clinic appointment.”