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Original poster

Missed appointments at the GP

140 replies

Tamega · 13/02/2025 17:14

Our gp practice started to warn patients who have missed more than 3 appointments in a year. If they miss another they will be removed and a note added into their medical records.
What do you think about this?

OP posts:
PlumFairies · 13/02/2025 17:14

Sounds fair to me. More practices should do this.

TickingAlongNicely · 13/02/2025 17:16

The one time I've missed a doctors appointment was when my condition deteriorated and I needed an ambulance instead. Sp I hope they are checking that the patients are well enough to attend.

But pure laziness... I can see why.

Original poster
Tamega · 13/02/2025 17:18

Yes - pure laziness. We receive on text when the appointment is booked. One email reminder and another text the previous day with a link to cancel if no longer needed.
Appointments are booked within maximum 2 weeks.
The biggest offenders miss between 4 to 9 in 6 months.

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General health
Kinneddar · 13/02/2025 17:19

With people literally being unable to get appointments for weeks I think that's more than fair. Missing 3 is taking the piss.

I'd imagine in a case like yours though @TickingAlongNicely it would be easy enough to see you were at hospital

Original poster
Tamega · 13/02/2025 17:20

They gave examples of patients who miss and then book another 1 to 2 days later and miss again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tamega · 13/02/2025 17:21

Kinneddar · 13/02/2025 17:19

With people literally being unable to get appointments for weeks I think that's more than fair. Missing 3 is taking the piss.

I'd imagine in a case like yours though @TickingAlongNicely it would be easy enough to see you were at hospital

Exactly. We are based in south London so the demand is very high indeed.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 13/02/2025 17:22

Good idea. Why are folk missing even one appointment never mind three.

purplebrat · 13/02/2025 17:22

It depends, i hope they apply common sense rather than 'computer says no', if so i think it's fair.

Floralnomad · 13/02/2025 17:23

Very fair of them .

prescribingmum · 13/02/2025 17:25

Absolutely fair and should be adopted by all GP practices. Only caveat being that human input can override when there is a genuine reason (such as above example with hospital admission)

PrincessofWells · 13/02/2025 17:25

I can think of a few disabilities that would make this discriminatory.

Most GPS use no shows to do paperwork so it's not as if they are there twiddling their thumbs.

Musicaltheatremum · 13/02/2025 17:25

We had patients who phoned at 8 booked appointment for 11 miss it and book another for the afternoon... usually a cancellation that had just appeared...then miss that then get cross with the receptionist the next day when they couldn't get an appointment the next day!

SausageRoll2020 · 13/02/2025 17:26

3 strikes and you're out seems very fair.

Happyhippos123 · 13/02/2025 17:27

I think it should be on a case by case basis. For example, i think it shouldn't apply to patients with serious depression or anxiety, who may find it difficult to go to the doctor, due to the stress of talking about their condition, or even leaving the house.

And if it's something like IBS, there are times when a sufferer just can't leave their home.

In principal it's reasonable - missing 9 appointments in 6 months is crazy - are people booking ahead in case they feel sick on the day?

HobnobsChoice · 13/02/2025 17:28

PrincessofWells · 13/02/2025 17:25

I can think of a few disabilities that would make this discriminatory.

Most GPS use no shows to do paperwork so it's not as if they are there twiddling their thumbs.

The GP might be doing paperwork in that time but there is also another person who could have had the appointment but couldn't. Who might then get more ill or decide to go to a&E

Aguinnessplease · 13/02/2025 17:29

It’s why there should be a circa £10 - £15 fee for GP appointments. Over 5% of appointments are missed, and that’s before many unnecessary appointments (ask any GP and there’ll confirm). Healthcare is a scarce resource and should be treated as one.

TwentyTwentyFive · 13/02/2025 17:30

Seems like a very sensible policy to me. Those who find it difficult to get appointments shouldn't be left struggling because some people are making and missing multiple appointments.

I can't see any reason why someone would complain about such a policy.

Organisedwannabe · 13/02/2025 17:30

Viviennemary · 13/02/2025 17:22

Good idea. Why are folk missing even one appointment never mind three.

Edited

I have often had to ring last minute to
cancel appointments for my parents because they’ve been admitted to hospital. Some time I wasn’t always able to cancel on time. I imagine this is common for people who are frequently in hospital.

Moveoverdarlin · 13/02/2025 17:30

Never missed an appointment in my life, or kids appointments whether that’s doctors, dentist hairdressers whatever. If you miss 3 in a year you are taking the piss.

2dogsandabudgie · 13/02/2025 17:30

Happyhippos123 · 13/02/2025 17:27

I think it should be on a case by case basis. For example, i think it shouldn't apply to patients with serious depression or anxiety, who may find it difficult to go to the doctor, due to the stress of talking about their condition, or even leaving the house.

And if it's something like IBS, there are times when a sufferer just can't leave their home.

In principal it's reasonable - missing 9 appointments in 6 months is crazy - are people booking ahead in case they feel sick on the day?

Well then the patient needs to let the Dr's. know not just not show up to the appt or they could request a telephone appointment.

There comes a point with anxiety where a person has to help themselves, avoidance makes anxiety worse.

wherearemypastnames · 13/02/2025 17:31

If you have Ibs and can't leave the house - why can't you pick up a phone and explain? There are not many disabilities that prevent the person calling or sending a message

Absolutely multiple offenders should be stopped from wasting appointments

Wolfpa · 13/02/2025 17:31

PrincessofWells · 13/02/2025 17:25

I can think of a few disabilities that would make this discriminatory.

Most GPS use no shows to do paperwork so it's not as if they are there twiddling their thumbs.

What disabilities?

Addeline · 13/02/2025 17:33

we are allowed at ours to fill in a form asking for an appointment at 7.30am and 1.30pm. Recently I did this at 1.30pm on a Friday. I immediately had a reply saying no appointments left, call 111 if urgent. Fair enough. A week later I received a text and email offering an appointment the previous Friday. Cynically I think they were covering their backs after the event because it was an urgent thing. So I am of the belief that some of the appointments they say are missed, might not actually be missed.

2dogsandabudgie · 13/02/2025 17:36

Addeline · 13/02/2025 17:33

we are allowed at ours to fill in a form asking for an appointment at 7.30am and 1.30pm. Recently I did this at 1.30pm on a Friday. I immediately had a reply saying no appointments left, call 111 if urgent. Fair enough. A week later I received a text and email offering an appointment the previous Friday. Cynically I think they were covering their backs after the event because it was an urgent thing. So I am of the belief that some of the appointments they say are missed, might not actually be missed.

But in that case, your phone would have the date the text was received by you.

CorragMacDonald · 13/02/2025 17:37

Aguinnessplease · 13/02/2025 17:29

It’s why there should be a circa £10 - £15 fee for GP appointments. Over 5% of appointments are missed, and that’s before many unnecessary appointments (ask any GP and there’ll confirm). Healthcare is a scarce resource and should be treated as one.

That would result in many more people showing up at A+E/ out of hours unnecessarily.

There will be people who have a genuine need to see a doctor/nurse and don't have two pennies to rub together.

The current systems barely cope with managing appointments at present - imagine the chaos if you add in the complication of taking payments, it would exclude lots of people who can't pay over the phone or online too

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