Melton Times letter: Charge patients for missed surgery appointments
It is my understanding that the Latham House Medical Practice caters for approximately 36,000 local citizens.
On a recent visit to the surgery I was horrified to read a notice displayed in the MTU advising readers that during the month of February 1,100 patients failed to keep appointments with either doctors or nurses.
This equated to 38 appointments per day in the month! This, if replicated across the country, is surely one of the main reasons the NHS is in such a sorry state financially.
Whilst I appreciate the ‘free at the point of use’ philosophy, I feel very strongly that a charge of say £10 should be made for every appointment missed, and that another appointment cannot be made until the fine is paid.
I recently visited Australia and paid £70 to see a doctor and have a blood test. Perhaps my £10 figure is too low?
A.P. Goodwin
Barleythorpe