At Library House Surgery, we care for over 17,500 patients. Each missed appointment—known as a "Did Not Attend" (DNA) has a significant impact, not just on the individual patient, but on the wider community who rely on our services.
A DNA occurs when a patient does not attend their scheduled appointment and does not inform us with at least 24 hours' notice, meaning the slot cannot be offered to someone else in need.
The Impact of Missed Appointments:
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Increased waiting times for all patients, potentially affecting health outcomes
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Wasted clinical and administrative time, as missed appointments often need to be rebooked
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Additional pressure on NHS resources, including the need for more clinical staff
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Potential safeguarding concerns, particularly when a child or vulnerable person depends on others to bring them to their appointment
Each DNA is recorded in the patient's medical record as: "Did not attend – No reason given"
What Happens if You Miss Multiple Appointments?
We understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes appointments are missed for valid reasons. However, if a patient fails to attend three or more appointments within a 12-month period, they will receive a letter outlining the missed appointments and informing them of the potential for removal from our practice list.
Please Note:
Removing a patient from our list is never a decision we take lightly. We always consider individual circumstances, but we must also act in the best interest of all our patients. With a registered population of over 17,500, missed appointments reduce access and affect the quality of care we can provide to others.
Help Us Help You
If you can’t attend your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible—ideally at least 24 hours in advance—so we can offer the slot to someone else in need.