No-shows? Is this now standard?

I’ve had the misfortune to have a lot of appointments recently, and it’s also noticeable how many people wander in deliberately late because they expect the Doc to be behind.

I once sat in the waiting room for an appointment, expecting no delay as it was the first appointment of the day. 15 mins after it was supposed to start the young GP arrived in a hurry with a bag over his shoulder, somewhat late for work!

Lots more just didn’t answer the call.

Plenty of people (inc Gen Z and me) just won’t answer phone calls from unknown numbers.

Those that answered were generally very apologetic saying they’d forgotten. Lots more just didn’t answer the call. Awkward.

We semi-often run pt. surveys to folks who’ve DNA’d. Most said they forgot (we send reminder texts) some said things like “I got better” or “I didn’t need the appt” which is fine, but please tell us, so we can give it to someone else.  We have thought about doing things like over-booking – our DNA rate is pretty steady over time, but it gives the GPs fear, which I can understand.

Plenty of people (inc Gen Z and me) just won’t answer phone calls from unknown numbers.

Our texts to patients if they’re getting a phone appt, says “It may be from an unknown number” but folks still get angry at us that they missed the phone call. It’s perhaps a life hack (mleh) to stick your doctors main number in your contacts.

I once sat in the waiting room for an appointment, expecting no delay as it was the first appointment of the day. 15 mins after it was supposed to start the young GP arrived in a hurry with a bag over his shoulder, somewhat late for work!

That may not have been his first job of the day.

Wes Streeting has said there will be no charges or co-pays at point of use for NHS services [in England?], and presumably that includes for GP appointments  https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/wes-streeting-health-nhs-review-reform-lbc-privatisation/

? although I assume that doesn’t cover dentistry or prescriptions where there are co-pays for many peoplw