Did not attend’s are defined as where the patient did not turn up for the appointment and did not contact the surgery in advance to cancel/change appointment. The policy aimes to reduce the effects of missed appoitments listed below:

• An increase in the waiting time for appointments
• Frustration for both patients and staff
• A waste of resources
• A potential risk to the health of the patient

Monthly Did Not Attend figures will be published in the practice, on the website and socail media pages.

• When a patient fails to attend their pre-booked appointment without any prior notice.
• Patients that cancel at short notice - less than 30 minutes before their appointment time.

Missed Appointments:

• Staff will send out a "Did Not Attend" text message and code the missed appointment on the patient record in the first instance.
• If a patient has 3 missed appointments in the last 12 months they will be sent an informal warning letter advising them that further occurrences may result in removal form the practice list.
• If a patient then fails to attend a further appointment, this matter will be discussed in the practice meetings and a majority agreement will be reached as to whether the patient will be removed from the practice list. In this case a formal warning letter will be issued.
• Warning letters are valid for a 12 month period.
• Children who miss appointments may be followed up by practice staff, this is to ensure the well-being of the child.

Late Cancellations:

• Patients who cancel less than 30 minutes before their appointment will also be coded Did Not Attend. A text message will be sent reminding patients to cancel with more notice in the future.