Payment proposal to bridge NHS funds gap

Dear Editor

The NHS is in dire financial straits; one drain on their resources is the failure of so many patients to turn up for appointments.

A poll conducted by Pulse magazine showed more than half of GPs backed the idea of charges for patients who do not keep their appointments.

Some suggested a returnable deposit for patients. I have already proposed a more targeted scheme which would make persistent offenders think twice about making appointments, then missing them.

A patient not keeping an appointment once could be given a warning and his/her name noted. A second failure to appear would entail a final warning, with the patient told that any subsequent appointment would require a deposit of £10. If the patient did appear as arranged, the deposit would be returned. If not, it would be forfeit.

Much of the NHS’s problem is directly attributable to the attitude of too many that anything available on request and without payment is not worthy of respect.

A returnable deposit for the chronically careless would not only make them sit up and take notice and make them more likely to keep their next appointment, but would save the NHS many thousands of pounds and a great deal of staff time which could be more usefully employed treating the sick and cutting waiting times.

Hit the culprits where it hurts – in their wallets. George K McMillan Mount Tabor Avenue Perth