At the end of 2021 the practice and the Patient Participation Group (PPG) reviewed the Did Not Attend (appointments) policy. This was necessary due to the number of appointments missed every month. For example, in December 2021 appointments missed were: 15 GP, 45 nurse and two clinical pharmacists. Figures fluctuate from month to month but are always too high in the financial cost of NHS staff time wasted and other patients possibly being denied an appointment when needed.
Appointments can be cancelled if you receive reminders by text via MJOG (there is a facility to click a box to cancel), via online services if you have an account or by calling the practice. The new policy informs patients that if someone fails to attend an appointment on more than two occasions in a 12-month period then an informal warning letter will be sent. The old policy was for three appointments missed in a 12-month period.
Patients risk removal from the practice if they continue to miss appointments and receive a formal warning letter. The PPG was involved in this exercise as they represent all the patients at this practice and therefore help to find solutions to issues that may adversely affect any patients. The revised policy can be found on the surgery website.
Joy Mitchell, a mental health nurse, has been recruited by the Sherwood Primary Care Network to a new and developing role, part of a nationwide NHS England scheme designed to support GP services and signpost patients to various organisations who deal with specific mental health conditions. She will work at this practice at designated times; consultations will be up to 30 minutes. More mental health nurses are to be recruited as the role develops.