Dr Foster put together some data and analysis for the BBC's flagship morning news programme, BBC Breakfast. The story that 6,000,000 appointments a year are being missed was also covered on BBC News online and on news bulletins throughout the day.
The high number of missed appointments means hospitals are losing out on almost £575,000,000 of income, had the patients turned up. Dr Simon Jones, Dr Foster's Chief Statistician, was interviewed by BBC Breakfast's Tim Muffett. Simon was able to break down the story further, giving details on which groups were more likely not to turn up (men in their early twenties), those most likely to turn up (women in their 70s) and when people were more likely not to show (in the school holidays).
By breaking down the statistics into useful information, PCTs are able to know who to target and which methods work best to issue reminders, such as email and text messages.
The public response to the figures was wide ranging although there was general agreement that the figures were too high. Some people adopted a position whereby the person not attending without good reason would be charged, others pointed out the failings by the NHS in making appointments too far in advance or not sending out reminder letters to the correct address.
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