Loose Women's Carol McGiffin said she was keen on the NHS implementing fines or removing people from lists who continuously miss their GP appointments.
Today's Loose Women panel discussed a major shakeup that could change the face of the nation's GP clinics. Hoping to move forward in an attempt to ease the strain on GPs, conversations have emerged regarding patients who miss their appointments.
The plan is to fine people who miss more than two of their appointments and punish those who miss more by permanently removing them from the clinic's register. Passionate about today's topic, Carol showed her enthusiasm as she shared her dismay over people abusing the system.
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She said: "It is a huge problem and I don't know why people even think they can just not turn up. It's quite shocking really." Carol added despite backing the idea, she had little confidence in the NHS being able to implement the fines.
She added: "The whole fine thing, you're assuming the NHS is organised and it can get this thing sorted out. It can't and it won't and also people won't pay it. If you started to charge people a small amount even people would think twice about booking an appointment and not taking it.
Carol went on to say there would be a "giant amount of admin" needed to be in place to make the fines work. Panellist Katie Piper added she thought credit card information should be necessary when signing up for a GP to get ahead of the work that needs to be done.
Today's panellists agreed in unison the NHS needed a shakeup, noting people could 'miss' their appointments due to GPs going over their scheduled time. Carol added: "They give you a ten-minute slot and you can't even ask about something holistic, you need another appointment for that. So if they did check it and they went over their time, would the next person be classed as late for their appointment?"
Kaye Adam noted people are struggling to get any session with their GPs and in turn, are putting themselves in danger whilst people abuse the system. She added it was a shame people are struggling to be seen and there was no consequence for people who don't honour their appointments.
