MORE THAN 15,000 GP appointments were missed by patients in Wiltshire in the last three months it has been revealed today (October 24).

An equivalent of 516 days of general practitioner time was lost from July to September because a total of 15,500 doctor, nurse and healthcare assistant appointments were missed across the county’s 55 GP practices.

Now, the Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group is urging patients to take a few minutes to cancel their appointments if they are no longer required, or if they are unable to attend so that the slot can be offered to other patients.

Dr Peter Jenkins, Chair of Wiltshire CCG said: “Every missed appointment it is a missed opportunity for practices to see another patient. Between July and September that means practices could have seen another 15,500 patients, which is staggering. Simply by cancelling unwanted appointments, even if it is a few minutes before, it means that other patients have an opportunity to be seen more quickly and perhaps see their own GP.

“We were aware that most practices experience several ‘Did Not Attend’ appointments each day, but the volumes we are seeing are quite frankly, shocking.”

On average a GP will conduct 30 appointments per day and based on the total number of missed appointments for the summer months, the equivalent of 516 days of general practitioner time has been lost.

Dr Richard Sandford-Hill, a GP at Market Lavington Surgery explains on behalf of Wiltshire Practices: “As doctors, we understand that people lead busy lives, that plans often change and quite often many people feel better by the time of their pre-booked appointment, so needing to change or cancel it is not a problem – please just remember to let your surgery know.

“At a time when NHS resources are stretched to the hilt, it’s really important that people understand the impact they have if they simply do not turn up. Everyone has responsibility to look after the NHS – its tax payer’s money after all – and we urge Wiltshire people to cancel when they don’t need the appointment so that those most in need are able to be seen more quickly”.