Menu
19/04/2007
NI highest rate of missed appointments
A report published today has revealed Northern Ireland has the worst record in the UK for people not turning up for outpatient appointments.
In all, one in ten outpatient appointments in hospitals across the province do not take place because the patient hasn’t turned up, or the appointment was cancelled.
The problem is also costing Northern Ireland more than £11 million as well as putting people’s health at risk.
The report ‘Missed Appointments and Cancelled Clinics’, by Auditor General for Northern Irelan, John Dowdall, said: “Failure to attend outpatient appointments can waste valuable time and resources. A comparison with Great Britain shows that Northern Ireland has consistently had the highest overall rate of non-attendance.
It continued: “In our view, health service managers and clinicians need to monitor non-attendance/cancellation rates closely in order to clarify the factors influencing them and to allow the planning of effective strategies aimed at minimising any loss of time and resources due to missed and cancelled appointments.”
However the report also praised the Department of Health’s drive to slash waiting lists, saying: “Given the scale of the challenge – with almost 74,000 patients waiting more than 26 weeks for a first outpatient appointment this time last year – this is a commendable performance by the Department.”
The highest rate of non-attendence was in the Foyle Community Trust in the North West, with 23% of appointments missed.
Meanwhile, the lowest rate was in the Northern Health Board area, with a 9% rate.
(JM/KMcA)
In all, one in ten outpatient appointments in hospitals across the province do not take place because the patient hasn’t turned up, or the appointment was cancelled.
The problem is also costing Northern Ireland more than £11 million as well as putting people’s health at risk.
The report ‘Missed Appointments and Cancelled Clinics’, by Auditor General for Northern Irelan, John Dowdall, said: “Failure to attend outpatient appointments can waste valuable time and resources. A comparison with Great Britain shows that Northern Ireland has consistently had the highest overall rate of non-attendance.
It continued: “In our view, health service managers and clinicians need to monitor non-attendance/cancellation rates closely in order to clarify the factors influencing them and to allow the planning of effective strategies aimed at minimising any loss of time and resources due to missed and cancelled appointments.”
However the report also praised the Department of Health’s drive to slash waiting lists, saying: “Given the scale of the challenge – with almost 74,000 patients waiting more than 26 weeks for a first outpatient appointment this time last year – this is a commendable performance by the Department.”
The highest rate of non-attendence was in the Foyle Community Trust in the North West, with 23% of appointments missed.
Meanwhile, the lowest rate was in the Northern Health Board area, with a 9% rate.
(JM/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 March 2007
Waiting lists targets still on track – Goggins
Health Minister for Northern Ireland, Paul Goggins said that there will be no let up in the drive to meet waiting time targets for surgery and outpatient appointments. Figures for the end of December 2006 show continued significant falls in the number of people waiting more than six months for surgery and outpatient appointments.
Waiting lists targets still on track – Goggins
Health Minister for Northern Ireland, Paul Goggins said that there will be no let up in the drive to meet waiting time targets for surgery and outpatient appointments. Figures for the end of December 2006 show continued significant falls in the number of people waiting more than six months for surgery and outpatient appointments.
30 March 2015
Finance Minister Announces New Annual Rate Statement
A new annual rate statement for all domestic rate payers in Northern Ireland has been introduced by the Finance Minister. From April 2015, the annual rate statement will show how households' rate payment contributes to the provision of public services such as health, education and roads, as well as a range of other important regional services.
Finance Minister Announces New Annual Rate Statement
A new annual rate statement for all domestic rate payers in Northern Ireland has been introduced by the Finance Minister. From April 2015, the annual rate statement will show how households' rate payment contributes to the provision of public services such as health, education and roads, as well as a range of other important regional services.
19 September 2019
NI Firms Urged To Have Their Say On Business Rates
Non-domestic rate payers across Northern Ireland are urged to ensure their voice is heard in the public consultation on local business rates. The Department of Finance launched the consultation on Monday 16 September as the next step in its "full and comprehensive" rates review. Land & Property Services collects over £1.
NI Firms Urged To Have Their Say On Business Rates
Non-domestic rate payers across Northern Ireland are urged to ensure their voice is heard in the public consultation on local business rates. The Department of Finance launched the consultation on Monday 16 September as the next step in its "full and comprehensive" rates review. Land & Property Services collects over £1.
18 February 2011
'Healthy Debate' Rages Over Hospital Cuts
Inter-Executive squabbling reached new levels today as the Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness reacted angrily to comments made by the Minister for Health, Michael McGimpsey.
'Healthy Debate' Rages Over Hospital Cuts
Inter-Executive squabbling reached new levels today as the Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness reacted angrily to comments made by the Minister for Health, Michael McGimpsey.
01 June 2006
Hospital waiting lists decrease by 6,000
The latest figures from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) have revealed that by March hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland have dropped by almost 6,000 over the last twelve months. The statistics also showed that a total of 41,495, were still waiting for treatment by the end of March 2006, a drop of 7.
Hospital waiting lists decrease by 6,000
The latest figures from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) have revealed that by March hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland have dropped by almost 6,000 over the last twelve months. The statistics also showed that a total of 41,495, were still waiting for treatment by the end of March 2006, a drop of 7.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
