Did not attend (DNA) policy

Patients that do not keep appointments and do not cancel them cost the health service millions of pounds, they also waste the doctor’s time and deprive another patient of an appointment.

We accept that people can sometimes forget appointments. Patients, however who do not attend twice in fairly close proximity will receive a letter. This letter sets out the practice policy, and describes that if a patient should continue to DNA without contacting the practice, they may be removed from the practice list. Should this occur, a discussion will take place with the GP whom the patient consults most regularly. The decision whether to remove the patient will be taken on a case by case basis. If the decision results in removal:

• The HSC Board will be informed on the request to remove the patient from our list.
• A letter will be sent informing the patient that he/she is being removed from our list and detailing the reason.