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Missed GP Appointments Cost £162 Million A Year

August 24, 2004 12:00 AM

GP appointments must be made to suit the patient rather than the system, the Liberal Democrats said today in response to a survey revealing that patients who miss doctors' appointments cost the Health Service at least £162 million a year.

According to the report from health education charity Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) and the Institute of Healthcare Management almost nine million GP sessions are missed annually in the UK.

Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said:

"Every missed appointment means other patients wait longer. It is a waste of GP's time. Patients need to be aware of the consequences of failing to keep or cancel their appointment.

"It is not just patients who are to blame. All too often appointments are booked to suit the system, not the patient. Surgeries need to be free to focus on the needs of their patients, not chasing Government waiting targets."

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