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?
Should you be fined for missing a GP appointment?
323 people have already voted, what's your opinion? Yes - I think a fine is acceptable No - I don't think a fine is reasonableWhat are your views?
We'd love to hear your comments
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I believe GP's are paid for their services, however many patients they see, - or am I incorrect?
When you book, you are given a particular time and then sometimes wait over an hour to see the doctor. So NO.
So, like Gloria Estefan's bread knife, it cuts both ways!
They wouldn't do it again, would they?
The only way to make people aware that they have missed an appointment would be to levy a fine.
Given that in a lot of cases people have to wait a week or more to see their own Dr. it's just not right that some people on the appointment list just don't bother to cancel so, someone who needs to see their Dr. could maybe see their Dr. sooner.