The cost of missed appointments
Failing to attend your appointment or not telling us that you cannot make it in good time can put your own health at risk and makes waiting lists for all our patients longer. Missed appointments also carry a significant financial cost to QE Gateshead – approximately £4m per year.
What to do if you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment
If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know by ringing the telephone number on your appointment letter, or the number given to you. We can then give your appointment to another patient and we can rearrange yours.
If you no longer require your appointment, you will be removed from the waiting list and your GP will be informed.
Please note
If you cancel your appointment on more than two occasions, you may be referred back to your GP.
Reminder/confirmation service
We are committed to improving services for all our patients, as well as minimising waiting times. For this reason, we have introduced a reminder/confirmation service.
You will be contacted seven days before your appointment and you will be asked to confirm you are still able to attend your appointment.
If you are over 70 years of age you will be contacted by someone on the telephone and if you are under 70 years old you will receive an automated call. In either situation you will be given the option to re-arrange if your appointment is not convenient.
What happens if I don’t attend appointment?
If you have been offered choice at the time of booking your appointment you will not be offered another appointment and you will be removed from the waiting list. You will be sent a letter and your GP will be informed. This excludes children or patients who have been referred for a fast track appointment.
If you do not attend a follow up appointment you may be offered another appointment at the consultant’s discretion. In the event your consultant does not want to reappoint a letter will be sent to you and your GP.
What happens if we cancel your appointment?
We try to keep every appointment we make, but medical emergencies and unforeseen circumstances mean that we sometimes have to cancel appointments. If this happens, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused and will arrange a new date for you as soon as possible.