MORE than 31,000 GP, nurse and healthcare assistant appointments were missed in Wiltshire in just five months.

The figure, the equivalent of over 1,033 days of general practitioner time, has been released by Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and relates to the county's 55 GP practices between July and November 2016.

Dr Peter Jenkins, chairman of Wiltshire CCG, said: “We are urging patients to cancel their appointments if they are no longer required, or if they are unable to attend. Practices will then be able to offer these appointments to other patients who need them and will help to reduce waiting times.

“The number of missed appointments across Wiltshire averages around 6,000 every month, a shocking statistic that is exacerbated during the winter months when practices typically face an increase in patient demand for appointments.

"Known as ‘Did Not Attends’, missed appointments have a huge impact on the health economy, prevent other patients from being seen and waste the time of ever-stretched doctors and nurses.

"In Wiltshire, this boils down to a potential 6,000 patients missing out on an opportunity to be seen each month."

Dr Richard Sandford-Hill, a GP from Market Lavington Surgery, explains: “It’s no secret that NHS resources are stretched to the hilt, which is why it’s really important that people understand the impact they have if they simply do not turn up.

"Everyone has responsibility to look after the NHS – it’s tax payers money after all – and we urge Wiltshire people to cancel their unwanted appointments so that those most in need are able to be seen more quickly."