A TEESSIDE based Trust is celebrating a successful project that has seen them actively reduce non-attendance, also known as did not attend (DNA) appointment rates, over an eighteen-month period.
Paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology services at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust took part in a scheme that saw a clinical pathway co-ordinator pick up the phone to offer appointment reminders and to find out if there were any barriers to patients attending their appointments.
The project took place from January 2023 to June 2024 and a preliminary assessment of the campaign is being carried out to look at extending it into further departments.
Public health registrar Emma Wright said: “This has been a really localised project over a few departments, but we have seen a notable decrease in the number of missed appointments by patients with the help of our health inequalities support officer.
“It is so important that we look at ways of reducing wasted appointments – not only as a cost saving exercise – but because it means that any appointment slots that do become available can be offered to other patients who are waiting to be seen.”
Each outpatient appointment costs the Trust £160 per head. The project saw 241 appointments rescheduled at a potential cost saving of £38,560.
The Trust is hoping to extend the scheme into other areas, which could see an even greater cost saving to the NHS. This would help even more patients to pass on their unwanted appointment dates to others – improving their care pathway and giving patients treatment sooner.
Emma added: “Our health inequalities support officer has been instrumental in making sure that no appointment is wasted and that other patients can be offered earlier appointments where cancellations are made.
“But importantly, it’s also about understanding barriers to patients getting in to appointments – and being able to support them and signpost them for support to make it easier for them to have access to care and to ensure they can attend their appointment with us.”
Top five tips for making sure you don’t miss your outpatient appointment:
- Make sure the hospital has your most up to date contact address (you can update this through your GP and through the Trust’s medical records team)
- Confirm that you are happy to receive text reminders
- Get that date popped into your physical diary or phone calendar
- Once you have that appointment letter – stick it to your fridge or somewhere prominent so you don’t forget the date
- Give us a call on 01642 624851 if you need to discuss any support that you might require to help you attend for your appointment