Nottinghamshire NHS Urges Patients to Reduce £9.25 Million Waste

The NHS in Nottinghamshire has raised concerns over the financial impact of missed appointments, revealing that over £9.25 million was lost due to patients not attending their scheduled GP visits in the past year. From October 2024 to September 2025, patients failed to show up for a staggering 308,538 appointments across the region. This significant number has prompted NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) to call on the public to cancel appointments in advance if they are unable to attend.

The ICB highlighted that missed appointments create unnecessary costs and waste valuable time that could be allocated to other patients. As the winter season approaches, when healthcare demands typically increase, the NHS is emphasizing the importance of proactive communication from patients regarding their appointments.

Dr. Dave Briggs, executive director of outcomes at the ICB, noted, “The overall number of GP appointments being provided in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has been increasing year on year. Although missed appointments account for less than 4% of the nearly 8 million provided over the same period, it is still a significant drain on NHS resources and precious GP practice time.”

He acknowledged that there are many legitimate reasons why patients may miss appointments, including feeling better, receiving advice or medication from other healthcare providers, or facing personal commitments such as work or childcare. “Whatever the reason for an appointment no longer being needed, or if you can no longer attend, it’s vital you contact your practice to either cancel or rearrange,” he added.

The NHS has made it clear that patients can easily cancel or reschedule appointments by contacting their GP surgery. Many practices now offer telephone consultations, which can provide alternative solutions for those struggling to attend in person. Furthermore, patients are reminded that several services can be accessed through local pharmacies, such as blood pressure checks for individuals over 40 and free contraception pills.

Celia Knight, a representative from the Linden Medical Group surgery in Stapleford, shared the impact of missed appointments on patient care. “In October, there were 220 missed appointments at the Linden Practice, which meant that 220 other people had to wait longer than necessary to get an appointment,” she stated.

Knight emphasized that while there will always be situations where patients cannot cancel their appointments, it is crucial for others to inform their surgery promptly. “If everyone else who no longer wanted an appointment contacted the surgery—either by phone, online, or by visiting—it would make a huge difference to the waiting lists,” she said.

As the NHS faces heightened pressure during the winter months, both Dr. Briggs and Knight are urging patients to take responsibility for their appointments. “The NHS is under huge pressure at this time of the year. As patients, we need to do everything we can to help. So, please encourage friends, family, and neighbours to cancel appointments when they no longer need them,” Knight concluded.

By addressing the issue of missed appointments, the NHS aims to enhance efficiency and ensure that healthcare resources are utilized effectively to benefit all patients in Nottinghamshire.