WalesOnline readers have reacted to a doctor saying that patients who miss appointments with their GP should be fined for doing so. GP and clinical director Dr Sarah Jarvis said that she supported in principle fining patients a small amount, such as £5 or £10, for missing appointments and wasting doctors' time.
Her comments come as sick and frustrated patients complain at being unable to secure appointments, with waits of several weeks common for a non-urgent GP visit. The NHS is facing daily costs of more than £1.4m a day due to millions of consultation slots being recorded as 'did not attends' this year.
The health service has seen almost almost four-and-a-half million consultation slots missed at a cost of £175million in 2022. Dr Jarvis said such cases were “incredibly frustrating” when family doctors are under intense pressure and that people should be fined if they "abuse" the NHS.
Read more: Doctor gets two £100 fines after leaving his NHS late shift a few minutes late
"I’ve always been vehemently against the idea of fining people for using the NHS, but I think that’s very different to fining people for abusing the NHS," she said. “If you have an appointment and you suddenly find at short notice that you can’t make it, everybody has mobile phones. How difficult would it be to send a message or drop the practice a note online? The problem we’ve got is the practicalities. Who’s going to collect the fine? You can’t expect receptionists to do it.”
On WalesOnline's Facebook page hundreds of people have reacted to the news with mixed responses. We have put together some of the statements that best reflect the mood of our commenters.
Many of those who commented agreed with the GP, saying that fining those who miss appointments would teach them a lesson and help ensure that those who are desperate for an appointment can be seen. Some added that there were "repeat offenders" who would be stopped if a system of fines was introduced.
"Absolutely agree with this," said Nicola Ann Marie Owen. "It's not fair to have appointments then keep DNA. There are so many repeat offenders. It’s not fair on others who are wanting an appointment and can’t get one! It will teach people to think on before they don’t turn up or at least inform the surgery if they are unable to attend."
"I think this a good idea and should only be waived if there is a genuine reason for them not to be able to attend," added Catherine Megan Russell, while Tracey Perry said: "Totally agree. Patients are kept waiting because other patients take extra time and no offence, people think they have the right to a long appointment"
Stuart Sweet argued that a fine of £5 or £10 would not be enough, saying it "should be £100". He added: "I work in the NHS theatres, the reason why hospitals and surgeries ask you all to come in at the same time is so everyone turns up. It doesn't take a minute to phone to say you're not attending your appointment. Someone else could have had your place who really needed it."
However, others disagreed with Dr Jarvis' suggestion, saying it was "not always possible" to reach appointments. While agreeing that repeat offenders should be penalised, James Coleman said: "Really ? I agree something has to be done but it's not that simple. People are unable to get appointments and when they do it's usually allocated as opposed to a time they can actually meet, so inevitably they are rushing trying to get from work to the appointment. With traffic the way it is, it's not always possible.
Susan Elizabeth Cole added: "Sadly we are all human. We can easily forget an appointment, especially when it's made for us six weeks ahead." Get the latest news from across Wales sent straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletters.
Many argued that while the fines could work, the situation "works both ways" and patients should be reimbursed for appointments that are cancelled or run late. "What about patients billing them when they cancel a long awaiting appointment and you have booked time off work?" asked Lisa Lewis, while Emma Leanne Alder remarked: "Great, so will the GPs have to pay a fine when they cancel appointments last minute?"
Melvyn Williams added: "Doctors should be fined £5-£10 for every fifteen minutes a patient is kept waiting when they turn up for their appointment on time," while Mark-Elite Swan wrote: "I 100% get it but works both ways. What about payment for cancelled appointments? Been plenty of them over the last few years."
Meanwhile, hundreds of those who commented remarked that it was impossible to get an appointment in the first place. "Who are these people who can get appointments?" asked Jill Williams. "What planet are we talking about? It's not Earth that’s for sure!"
"Hysterical," added Ash Lee. "Can't get through to the GP surgery to get an appointment for starters, never mind have the opportunity to miss one!". Debi Russell agreed, asking: "How can we be charged for not turning up to an appointment when we can't get an appointment in the first place?".
Russell Williams was left baffled as he asked: "What is this mystical appointment thing she speaks of?". Meanwhile, Máirtin Ó Grádaigh summed up the situation by writing: "At this stage I'd almost be happy to pay a fiver for even a chance of getting an appointment."
Other suggestions on how to combat the problem of missed appointments were also raised, with a system of 'three strikes' proving popular among some commenters. "Personally I would favour a system of 'three strikes and you're out," wrote Martin Fergusson.
He added: "Miss three appointments in a row and a patient then has to find another surgery unless there are good reasons; learning conditions, taxi let you down or simply being too ill to attend, for example." Samantha Gilley agreed, writing: "A far simpler solution to this is a three strikes rule, miss or turn up more than a few minutes late to three appointments and you're gone, go find another GP."
