I'm mortified

It is unusual for a surgery not to send a reminder, mine goes too far with an email and then daily texts for 5 days before, and because of that, I rely on them to remind me.

I would phone and apologise, I don't suppose it matters to them as to why but it would make me feel better, I would also tell the truth and admit that I had simply forgotten.

Ring up and explain. Unless you are in the habit of missing appointments, they will understand.

Hope they don't refer you to the dementia clinic.

Don't worry, your hard pressed GP will have been grateful for the DNA to catch up, they are always running late with extras added in.

I am sure your surgery will fit you in soon, especially as it is relatively urgent, don't hesitate to say that, urgent doesn't mean you are in danger of imminent collapse!

About 20 years ago I missed an appointment with my gp. She rang later to check I was OK!

kittylester - what a lovely GP you have !

Years ago I went to Newcastle RVI for an appointment - handed my card in, only to be told I was a day late!!
Mortified and embarrassed.

I recently forgot to go to the dentist despite being sent a text reminder. I was upset at being so forgetful and of course began to think the worst. It has focused my attention though on what I am supposed to be doing on a daily basis. The receptionist didn't blink an eyelid when I phoned to explain and make a new appointment.

buy a small wipeable white-board.
poundland and similar places usually have them.
they often have magnets for placing on fridge etc.
or prop by bed or in loo, over basin. or get two.
write in bold. few words.
good luck.

I have zero chance of remembering any appointments with setting myself a pop up alert on my phone. One for the day before and another on the day. It worries me at times just how lost I’d be without those reminders.

I rarely forget appointments now that I have smart speakers in both living room and kitchen. I just either set a reminder or add an event to my calendar. I then get a notification when the appointment is due.
I say rarely, I have been known to forget to tell Alexa.😄

Without setting not with!

Last time I spoke to my GP she said I had two "missed appointments". I told her no you are wrong because I dont come into the surgery. I only have home visits. She then went on to say that the health visitor had twice called to take a blood test but got no reply.

No these are not APPOINTMENTS unless confirmed with me beforehand. An appointment is made by two parties who agree on a mutually convenient time, not by one calling at random on the other without confirmation.

I would ring, apologise, tell the truth, “I completely forgot”.

If it’s a one off, they will understand.

They must have numerous missed appointments that are never apologised for.

Phone up and apologise for some surgeries mark on your notes if you regularly do not attend appointments. Ours usually gets in touch to make another appointment. It is only once they should understand. We get text message reminders the day before but I have forgotten the Dentist and the hairdressers.

You'll get scolded by that scrolling sign that tells you that 69 appointments were missed in the last month and you will sit there squirming, knowing you were one of them Ex-Dancer!

It is easily done. Our surgery has never sent out text or email reminders.

So easily done Ex-Dancer. I'm sure you will be forgiven and another appointment arranged.

My surgery made a telephone appointment for me to do a medication review with the paramacist, and confirmed it by text. I sat there all morning by the phone and no one rang. So I have that to counter with. My time is just as valuable as theirs.

Phone and apologise . As long as you don’t miss appointments regularly. They’ll be fine . When ever I have to cancel a gp appointment, reception are so grateful and thank me for telling them . So many patients just don’t turn up

It's odd that they didn't txt you. I immediately put my txt appointments in my diary.. But just tell them the truth and I'm sure they'll appreciate that..

Out of courtesy phone up asap, apologise ... try to make it light hearted ... & say something ... it called aging ( that what I usually say when I do stupid things ) ... not saying you are old at all ... you won't be the first won't be the last ... but next appointment write on your calendar ... I even send messages to myself ... a few days before , day before & on the day ... this works well for me ... even meeting friends

Pre lockdown, I was late for an appointment. I thought they said 10 past 10. They actually said 10 to 10. The doctor was furious and gave me a lecture. It was only when I apologised profusely and burst into tears as I had gone to her with anxiety and was feeling terrible, that she softened a bit.

Kate1949

Pre lockdown, I was late for an appointment. I thought they said 10 past 10. They actually said 10 to 10. The doctor was furious and gave me a lecture. It was only when I apologised profusely and burst into tears as I had gone to her with anxiety and was feeling terrible, that she softened a bit.

she was probably super stressed, but her reaction was way over the top.. You certainly didn't need that... quite unprofessional

Yes pascal she said they only had so many minutes per consultation. I understand that and like ExDancer I was mortified. I was in a bad way and her telling me off didn't help, but I do understand her frustration.