PATIENTS failed to keep more than 2,000 appointments with a district GP network in a single month, figures show.

The Wharfedale, Airedale and Craven Alliance (WACA) – a group of seven practices – has revealed that in October, there were 2,084 missed appointments, equating to over 34 hours of lost clinical time.

Now the organisation is urging any patients who discover they'll be unable to attend an appointment, to ensure they cancel or change the booking.

Dr Caroline Rayment, a GP with WACA, says: "We understand that appointments can be missed for many reasons – including a patient forgetting, difficulty with transport, no longer needing the appointment, work and family commitments or the appointment not being with their preferred clinician.

"However, our message to patients is clear – please let us know in advance so that the appointment can be filled by another patient.

"There are several measures in place that can help patients – from reminder text messages at the time of booking and prior to appointment, to phone call reminders – and accessible ways to cancel, such as online through the NHS app or via a dedicated phone number.

"And there is then the option for other patients to take last-minute cancellations, as some practices hold waiting lists."

Nationally, an estimated five per cent of primary care appointments are missed each month.

Dr Rayment adds: "Wanting to see the same GP is a growing issue. If you wish to see a particular clinician, you need to book well in advance, but this can mean the patient forgets their appointment. Demand for appointments continues to be very high, so reducing the number of patients that fail to attend has never been more important."

Latest data from Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership shows the number of appointments provided has risen during the past year – to an average of 418,000 per month, compared to 386,000 previously. And of those, 45 per cent were provided on the same day.

Helen Farmer, for Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, says: "We fully support the approach from the Wharfedale, Airedale and Craven Alliance and would encourage all patients registered with its practices to ensure they attend booked appointments, or where they need to cancel, provide their practice with as early notice as possible. A missed appointment means busy practice staff could otherwise have seen other patients in need."