DNA (did not attend) policy

What a DNA is

A DNA appointment is when a patient does not turn up for appointments, and does not contact the surgery to cancel or change the appointment.

This creates a significant strain on the NHS.

We understand that there are situations that can make it impossible for you to cancel your appointment, for example being admitted to hospital.

Our DNA policy

  1. If you fail to attend 2 or more appointments in the previous months, you will receive a warning letter.
  2. If you’ve had a warning letter and you miss another appointment, you will be removed from the practice list as a patient.  There may be extenuating circumstances for you missing appointments that you may discuss with Practice management to avoid being removed from the practice list.
  3. If you do not attend same day appointments, we will invite you to discuss a contract and an appointment plan. This will include you calling to confirm an appointment, if not it will be cancelled.

Warning letters will last 12 months.

Cancelling appointments

To avoid DNA appointments, you can call us, use the NHS app or online services to cancel your appointments.

You can also get a text reminder of your appointment, and you can reply to this to cancel if necessary. Please make sure we have the right mobile number for you.

Contact us

If you would like to discuss DNAs, please contact the surgery.

See our contact details

Date published: 25th October, 2023
Date last updated: 25th October, 2023