UNDER pressure GPS in Wiltshire have hit out at thoughtless patients who do not bother to cancel unwanted appointments and deprive others of being seen.

Dr Richard Sandford-Hill from Market Lavington Surgery, near Devizes, has spoken out after there were 31,000 missed appointments in Wiltshire in just five months between July and November, 2016.

He said: "On average a GP will conduct 30 appointments per day and based on the total number of missed appointments for July – November 2016, that’s the equivalent of 1,033 days of general practitioner time that has been lost.

“It’s no secret that NHS resources are stretched to the hilt, which is why it’s really important that people understand the impact they have if they simply do not turn up. Everyone has responsibility to look after the NHS – it’s tax payers money after all – and we urge Wiltshire people to cancel their unwanted appointments so that those most in need are able to be seen more quickly”.

The 31,000 missed appointments with GPs, nurses and healthcare assistants are the equivalent of more than 1,033 days of GP time.

Dr Peter Jenkins, chairman of Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are urging patients to cancel their appointments if they are no longer required, or if they are unable to attend. Practices will then be able to offer these appointments to other patients who need them and will help to reduce waiting times.

“The number of missed appointments across Wiltshire averages around 6,000 every month, a shocking statistic that is exacerbated during the winter months when practices typically face an increase in patient demand for appointments.”

Known as ‘Did Not Attends’, missed appointments have a huge impact on the health economy, prevent other patients from being seen and waste the time of ever-stretched doctors and nurses.

In Wiltshire, this boils down to a potential 6,000 patients missing out on an opportunity to be seen each month.