Understanding Missed Appointments (DNAs) and Their Impact
Missed appointments—commonly referred to as “Did Not Attends” (DNAs)—are an ongoing challenge for GP surgeries and healthcare services across the UK. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, the effects can be far-reaching for both patients and healthcare providers.
What Does DNA Mean?
A DNA (Did Not Attend) occurs when a patient fails to attend a scheduled appointment, including telephone consultations. Each missed appointment represents time that could have been used to support another patient in need.
What Happens When a Child Misses an Appointment?
When a child does not attend an appointment, it is recorded as “Was Not Brought” (WNB). This is because children rely on a parent or carer to ensure they attend.
In these cases:
- A clinician will review the child’s medical records.
- A risk assessment is carried out to consider the impact of the missed appointment on the child’s wellbeing
- If there are concerns, the clinician will attempt to contact the parent or carer to discuss the situation further.
- This process ensures that any potential safeguarding concerns are appropriately addressed.
The Overall Effects of DNAs
Missed appointments don’t just affect one individual—they have a wider impact on the entire healthcare system:
- Increased waiting times for other patients, which can lead to worsening health conditions
- Wasted resources, including both clinical and administrative time
- Increased costs to the NHS, due to the need for additional staffing and resources
- Potential risks to children, especially when they rely on adults to access care
How Bad Are DNA Rates at Our Surgery?
While there has been some improvement in recent months, the numbers remain significant and show how vital it is to continue to monitor and raise awareness. We will continue to track and report numbers and the lost opportunities to our surgery and the financial impact.
Our Priority
As a Patient Participation Group (PPG), our goal is to support the surgery by reducing DNA rates and improving access for everyone.
We encourage all patients to:
- Only book appointments when truly necessary, and consider alternative options such as local pharmacies where appropriate
- Cancel appointments in good time if they are no longer needed, allowing someone else to benefit from that slot
Working Together
Reducing missed appointments is a shared responsibility. By making small changes—like cancelling unused appointments or exploring other care options—we can help improve services, reduce waiting times, and ensure that care is available for those who need it most.
Together, we can all make a meaningful difference.
