Introduction
This protocol sets out the procedure to follow where a patient:
- Is late for their appointment, but is less than 10 minutes
- Is more than 10 minutes late
General Policy
Patients have a duty to attend for pre-booked appointments promptly, and to take into account logistical difficulties or the time involved in travelling to the surgery.
The practice will, as far as practicable, see patients who arrive late, however this may be at the end of surgery and will therefore involve a considerable wait for those who do not wish to re-book.
The following general provisions will apply:
Less than 10 minutes late
The patient will be marked as an arrival in their pre-booked “slot”. The doctor or nurse will call them in at the first available opportunity. The patient should be advised of this and that there may be some delay while they are fitted in.
More than 10 minutes late
The patient has clearly missed the appointment and should be encouraged to rebook. Where there is an indication of clinical urgency then they may be added to the end of the surgery list. In all cases, the doctor will be sent a message advising them that the patient has reported late, and what the outcome regarding future appointments is.