The Trust is launching a campaign to reduce the number of missed appointments in our outpatient clinics.
With more than 300,000 appointments made every year, the clinics are a very busy and important aspect of the Trust.
However, more than six per cent of appointments are being missed and this has a big impact in terms of budget and the smooth running of the system. For a new patient the average cost to the NHS is £150 and last year alone missed appointments cost us a total of £2.7million. And with demand increasing for services, every appointment missed is an opportunity missed for another patient.
So we are urging people to attend appointments – and tell us as soon as possible if they cannot.
With the schools about to break up for summer and the associated increase in family days out and holidays, the Trust is keen to underline the importance of clinic appointments being kept.
Trudy Taylor, Head of Patient Services, said: “On average we have 1,000 appointments per day so even a small percentage of missed appointments amounts to a significant number.
“We recognise that people have busy lives so would ask they please look ahead to their appointment time and tell us of any clashes.
“We know that patients sometimes experience difficulty in getting through, particularly at busy times such as Monday mornings so we’re highlighting two other forms of making contact.”
Appointment letters include a contact number for the clinic. Alternatively, people can change their appointments by freephone on 0800 136564 or by email at AppointmentChanges@qehkl.nhs.uk
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