Exploring the Causes of Missed Outpatient Appointments at Southern Health NHS Trust

Key Highlights :

1. NHS England has revealed that patients didn’t attend 25,345 outpatient appointments at Southern Health in 2022, up from 19,145 the previous year. The number of missed appointments accounted for 10 per cent of the total appointments arranged – 253,140 – last year.

2. In a statement, a spokesperson for Southern Health said: “In 2022/23 we offered an additional 50,000 face-to-face appointments to our patients which is reflected in the increase in missed appointments.”

3. Missed outpatient appointments cost the NHS around £1bn a year, so it is really important that you let someone know if you can’t make an appointment so that we can allocate it to someone else and re-book yours for a more convenient time.

4. Following the findings, the Patients Association, an independent healthcare charity, called for the health service to be “more curious and compassionate” about patients’ absence.

     The NHS England has revealed that 25,345 outpatient appointments were missed at Southern Health NHS Trust in 2022, representing a 30% increase from 19,145 in the previous year. This accounted for 10% of the total appointments arranged, costing the NHS an estimated £1bn a year in lost appointments.

     The rise in missed appointments is concerning, and it is important to understand the underlying causes of this increase. It is likely that there are a variety of factors at play, and it is essential that the NHS takes steps to address these issues.

     The first cause of missed appointments is likely to be the increased demand on the NHS. With the Covid-19 pandemic, the NHS has had to respond to unprecedented levels of demand, and this has meant that more appointments are being offered. This increased demand means that more appointments are being missed, as patients may not be able to attend due to other commitments.

     Another factor is likely to be the lack of awareness of appointment availability. Patients may not be aware of their appointment or may not be able to attend due to work or family commitments. This is especially true for those in more rural areas, who may not have access to the internet or the means to book appointments.

     Finally, it is possible that the NHS is not doing enough to ensure that patients are aware of their appointments. The NHS should be doing more to ensure that patients are aware of their appointments and that they are able to attend. This could include sending appointment reminders through email or text, or providing more information on appointment availability.

     It is clear that the NHS must take steps to address the causes of missed appointments at Southern Health NHS Trust. This could include increasing awareness of appointment availability, providing more information on appointment availability, and ensuring that patients are aware of their appointments. Additionally, the NHS should be more compassionate towards patients who are unable to attend their appointments.

     Ultimately, missed appointments cost the NHS a significant amount of money and can lead to delays in treatment and worse health outcomes. It is essential that the NHS takes steps to reduce the number of missed appointments and ensure that patients are able to access the healthcare they need.

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