Did Not Attend Policy
Patients who do not attend and fail to inform us have an impact on other patients and the Clinicians.
The effects of a DNA (Did Not Attend) are:
- an increase in waiting time for appointments
- frustration for both staff and patients
- a waste of resources
To combat this, the practice has implemented the following policy.
- If a patient fails to attend a pre-booked appointment on more than one occasion in the last 12 months, an informal warning letter will be sent to the patient, advising them that a further occurrence could risk removal from the practice.
- If the patient fails to attend another appointment, the matter will be discussed at a Practice Meeting and a majority agreement will be reached as to whether the patient will be removed from the practice list, in which case a formal warning letter will be issued.
- Warning letters are valid for a period of 12 months. Removal based on warnings greater than 12 months old will be invalid - in this case a further formal warning and period of grace will be required.