Health and the MSG says these no-shows are having knock on effects to services and wasting clinicians’ time, as well as preventing other people from benefiting from earlier rescheduled care.  

Deputy Al Brouard, President of Health & Social Care, said more community understanding of the effects, and encouraging people to attend their appointments, is key to resolving the issue. 

“Non-attendance is far more challenging to manage than cancelling or rearranging ahead of time. If adequate notice is given, the appointment can be reallocated to another patient who needs our help.  

If we could really cut down on the thousands of missed appointments then it would have an obvious knock-on benefit to our efforts to maximise the capacity our services have, particularly ensuring clinicians’ time is not wasted.” 

Pictured: Dr Steve Evans.

Dr Steve Evans, MSG Chair, added: “We’re grateful to all the patients who do come for their appointments on time, but it is always a shame when someone does not turn up, as that appointment time could have been used for someone else. 

“It’s really important that we make best use of our consultants’ time so that they can see as many patients as possible and reduce waiting times. 

“That’s why working with patients is such a priority for us. We are looking at ways to reduce missed appointments, such as sending out electronic reminders and, where appropriate, arranging follow-up appointments at the time of the first appointment."