Did Not Attend (DNA) Policy

Patients that do not keep appointments and do not cancel them cost the NHS millions of pounds, they also waste the doctors time and deprive another patient of an appointment.

We all accept that people can forget appointments. However patients who DNA 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 mostly. The decision whether to remove the patient will be taken on a case by case basis. If the decision results in removal:-

• The PCT 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.