Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many outpatient appointments were(a) missed by patients and (b) cancelled by hospitals in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;[126090]
(2) what the annual cost was to the NHS of outpatients failing to keep appointments in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.[126089]
§ Mr. DenhamDuring 1999–2000, 1,454,000 patients failed to attend a first outpatient appointment following referral by their general practitioner. Data on the numbers of outpatient appointments cancelled by National Health Service trusts are not collected centrally.
58WThe Department does not collect data on the cost of missed outpatient appointments, but the number of appointments missed suggests that the cost to the NHS is significant.
We are committed to improving the reliability and convenience of care for all patients. This is why we are investing £40 million this year to extend the national booked admissions programme. The programme allows patients to book hospital appointments or admission dates in advance at times that are convenient to them. Pre-booking in this way leads to demonstrable improvements in the numbers of hospital appointments missed by patients and the numbers of appointments cancelled by both the patient and the hospital.