The change – which is due to be introduced over the coming months – will allow patients to choose a suitable appointment time rather than being allocated a slot by Health.
It comes after the number of patients not turning up for appointments “significantly climbed over the summer months”, according to a report presented at yesterday’s meeting of the Health Advisory Board.
Pictured: The ‘Was Not Brought’ rate is determined by the percentage of public outpatient appointments where the patient did not attend.
The report showed that the ‘Was Not Brought’ rate – the percentage of public outpatient appointments where the patient did not attend – reached 17% last month.
The target is for it to be under 10%.
The report noted that “some of this increase is due to patients being away for holidays”, but explained that the new appointment booking process “should have a positive impact on clinic utilisation”.
“It will also have a positive impact on patient experience,” the report said.
Pictured: The ‘Did Not Attend’ rate is determined by the percentage of public outpatient appointments where the patient did not attend and no notice was given.
At yesterday’s board meeting, executive member Claire Thompson said: “The changes that we’re going to make as we go into next year is we’re going to ring people to book their appointment.
“This will give us confidence that the appointment we’re giving them suits their lives.”
This would make patients more likely to attend, she added.