Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to raise awareness of the effect on the public purse of non-attendance for hospital appointments.

The NHS Constitution for England emphasises patients’ responsibilities including making it clear that “You should keep appointments, or cancel within reasonable time”.

As part of the NHS 70 celebrations, NHS England is encouraging people to show their support for the National Health Service in seven ways, including a pledge to ‘use NHS services wisely’ which includes attending NHS appointments. More information is available on the NHS 70 website at the following link:

www.nhs70.nhs.uk/pledge