Will the Minister explain why it is the responsibility of patients to cancel appointments in hospitals, even where they have been made by a GP?
National guidance makes it clear that all appointments booked for people should be done so in discussion with the individual to ensure they are mutually agreed. If an appointment is initiated by a GP, we expect the person who will be attending the appointment to have an opportunity to agree a suitable date and time.
We recognise however that circumstances change, and as such, what was originally agreed as suitable may not be at the time of the appointment. When this happens, we are clear that patients have a duty to let hospitals know, so that a new appointment can be arranged, and the slot can be used for someone else.