DNAs in GP Surgeries

Charleygirl we receive a text a few seconds after the appointment is made then a reminder the day before..

Our surgery doesn't remind us at all, but I know that the dentist - and the hairdresser- phone (presume they text people who give their mobile phone nos) a couple of days before appointments to remind them.

Can they strike people off their lists like that? What if the problem is forgetfulness for any reason?

Interesting, Charleygirl!

I get a text to remind me too, but I don't know what the consequences are if I don't attend.

I don't get reminders for anything!

charley I also get a text, works like a charm.

There was a fairly recent study about the power of positive messages, e.g. instead of a notice which reads "29% of patients missed their appointments this month" a notice that reads "71% of patients attended their appointments this month" produces better results in terms of reducing DNAs...

We do not get texts - they know that most of their patents have no reception!

Hi charley here you go:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17298612

I think there is also more recent research but the above article captures what I remember.

We get texts.

DH was mortified when he received a DNA letter from the surgery. One of his appointments was cancelled at the last minute because the nurse went home sick and they put his new appointment on the website which we use for his repeat prescription requests. I didn't think to look on there so rang to ask when his next appointment would be only to be told we'd missed it!!

I apologised, said it was all my fault etc., etc.,(which it wasn't) but DH was really upset because the letter was sent out in our GP's name even though it wasn't signed by him.

Even though I'd rung and apologised he still got a ticking off when he went for his next appointment

Thank you all, very helpful, especially Grannyknot. I had not thought of the power of positive messages- the ones at my surgery are all negative, ie 163 DNA's during September.

One of the nurses at our surgery told me that sometimes a patient will get a same day appointment and still not turn up or ring to cancel. There is no excuse for that.

charley I find those negative messages immensely irritating so I am certain other people do too. Glad the info helped..