Late Arrivals and DNA’s

Late Arrivals

We allow patients to be seen if they arrive within 10 minutes of their appointment time. We do understand that an occasional delay is unavoidable therefore if you arrive within a reasonable time of your appointment then clinician will see you. Arrivals after these times are seen at the discretion of the clinician, although patients will generally be asked to re-book. Late arrivals that lead to cancellations cause an appointment to be wasted which could have otherwise been used. It is important that you arrive on time. Please also remember that one patient’s late arrival can have knock on effects on other patients appointment times, causing the doctors to run late.

Did Not Attend (DNA’S)

We will pro-actively contact patients who DNA more than once in a 12 month period. If the patient continues to DNA thereafter we will take action and remove the patent from the practice list.

As a result of DNA’s the practice and its patients have to deal with the effects of:

• Increased waiting times
• Frustration to the doctors, nurses, reception & other patients
• A waste of resources

In order to help lower DNA levels, we have implemented a Text Messaging appointment reminder system. This will send you a text message reminder of your appointment. If you do not receive such texts, please update your mobile number with reception.