Missed appointments have a real impact on healthcare services. Did Not Attend (DNA) appointments are appointments where a patient does not attend and has not cancelled or rearranged in advance. While an occasional missed appointment can happen, repeated DNAs can have a significant impact on the practice and other patients.
When an appointment is missed, valuable clinical time is left unused. This can make it harder for other patients to access appointments when they need them. DNAs can also place additional pressure on practice staff and clinicians, who may need to spend time contacting patients and rearranging care.
What is the practice DNA policy?
The practice asks patients to cancel or rearrange their appointment as early as possible if they are unable to attend, ideally within 2 hours of the appointment time. This allows the appointment to be offered to another patient.
Under the practice’s DNA policy, patients who repeatedly miss appointments without informing the practice will be contacted and it may unfortunately lead to a formal review of their registration
The practice recognises that there can be genuine reasons why patients are unable to attend. If there are circumstances making it difficult to attend appointments, patients are encouraged to speak to the practice so that appropriate support can be considered.
Please remember: if you cannot attend, let us know as soon as possible. A simple phone call or cancellation can help us offer the appointment to someone else.
Please see the attached DNA Protocol (PDF) for Mickleover Surgery.