Should you be fined for missing a GP appointment?

It’s thought that £162 million is lost each year through missed GP appointments.

A poll of more than 500 UK people found that nearly 70% were willing to accept a fine of up to £10 for a missed GP appointment. The average GP appointment costs the NHS an estimated £18.

Just 29% of respondents said they would not be prepared to pay anything for a missed appointment.

In addition, research suggests there are 23 percent fewer missed appointments if patients are sent a text message reminding them of their appointment.

What are your views?

Would you ever miss a doctors appointment without notifying your GP surgery? Do you receive a text from your GP reminding you of a pending appointment?  Would you be prepared to pay a fine for a missed appointment?