Introduction
Approximately 120 appointments per month are 'Did Not Attend' (DNA), i.e. the patient does not turn up for the appointment and does not contact the surgery in advance to cancel/change their appointment.
The effect of these missed appointments are:
- An increase in the waiting time for appointments
- Frustration for both staff and patients
- A waste of resources
Policy
If a patient fails to attend a pre-booked appointment a 1st DNA letter will be sent to the patient, advising them on how to cancel appointments in the future to reduce wasted clinician time.
If the patient fails to attend another (2nd) appointment, a 2nd DNA letter will be sent to the patient advising them that should they miss another appointment within the next twelve month period we will have no alternative but to ask them to find another practice in the area.