Rationale: Approximately 100 appointments per month are ‘did not attends’, the effect of these are:
- An increase in the waiting time for appointments
- Frustration for both staff and patients
- A waste of resources
It has been noticed that some patients persistently DNA appointments.
Policy
If a patient DNA’s an appointment three times then they will be sent a letter and a copy of the notice explaining the policy.
If they DNA a fourth appointment then a review of the case will be done by either the Operations Manager and one of the Partners to establish whether there are any specific reasons (social or clinical) why the patient should not be removed, with an outcome of:
- The patient will be invited in to meet with the Operations Manager to explain any difficulties they may have with keeping appointments.
- They will be sent a letter informing them that in accordance with the practice policy, it has now been requested for them to be removed as a patient from the practice and they should find an alternative doctor.