700 patients a month don't turn up for Plymouth GP appointments

The medical group said 700 patients a month are failing to turn up for their booked appointments. Credit: ITV West Country

700 patients a month fail to show up for their GP appointments in Plymouth, according to a medical group that runs six surgeries.

The missed appointments equate to three doctors working full-time every month.

Beacon Medical Group is urging patients to let them know if they can't attend an appointment to free up space for others who need to see a doctor.

Dr. Tim Bray, a GP partner in the medical group, told ITV West Country that, "Patients are struggling to get to see their GPs" and "a lot of practices are suffering from long waiting times to see a GP".

He said, "If we can get these appointments used by the right patients at the right time, everyone's wait to see their GP would be less."

The surgery group is asking patients to cancel if they can't attend an appointment. Credit: ITV West Country

The Beacon Medical Group includes six GP surgeries across Plymouth and Ivybridge.

Dr. Bray said while they "understand that there are legitimate reasons why people miss appointments" they ask patients to let them know as soon as possible if they can't make an appointment.