I'm mortified

Perhaps a good idea to charge for missed appointments- same as hairdresser's or nail salon, or indeed dentist's. Not the full cost, but significant enough to 'concentrate the mind'. 25 for GP, 50 for out-patients and 250 for operation. NHS should continue to be free for treatment, but not missed treatment.

If someone is not able to go out and attend surgery, and therefore only has home visits (which are like gold dust these days) - are can it be that they are out when doctor calls?

I have forgotten appointments at my GP surgery...and I am a GP at another surgery!
I always apologise for my mistake but , unless you are a frequent offender , everyone understands that people forget, cars break down, buses don't turn up etc. Life happens!

Our GP surgery put up details every week of missed appointments for GPs and Nurses. It is always somewhere between 10 and 14 hours….a week. I can never believe how many people DNA, (Do Not Attend). There will be legitimate reasons on some occasions, but from knowing the Practice Manager/Receptionists well, the majority just forget or don’t turn up.

Mirren

I have forgotten appointments at my GP surgery...and I am a GP at another surgery!
I always apologise for my mistake but , unless you are a frequent offender , everyone understands that people forget, cars break down, buses don't turn up etc. Life happens!

If a car does not start up, or a bus doesn't turn up- you would phone immediately and release appointment for emergency, surely.

You don't sound like the sort of person who regularly misses appointments. Ring them and apologise. I am sure that's all you need to do.

ExDancer

I completely forgot a doctor's appointment yesterday.
Should I phone the surgery and make a grovelling apology and humbly ask for another? It was for a nurse to take some bloods to try to sort out some new symptoms, so quite important as the problem does need attention.
I feel so very stupid - I just forgot what day it was, and the appointment was made weeks ago!
I just forgot!

Ex-Dancer we use an old-fashioned thing called a Week to View Diary - appointments etc are written in there as soon as they're made and it's always there, open, near the kettle.
I know reminders can be set up on mobile phones too but we find this simple system works for us.
WH Smith is selling them much reduced now.

I'm not saying it's infallible but it helps!

Callistemon- yes, it works brilliantly- first thing I do in morning is check it. done.

I've never been late for or missed a doctor's or dentist's appointment. I'm well aware that I can be absent-minded and have set up reminders on my phone calendar. However, I have twice managed to turn up early for a hairdressing appointment - on one occasion, a whole week early!

An small old fashioned diary is the answer. I write everything in mine and carry it with me all the time. Not possible to forget appointments if you make a habit of entering everything, keep it handy, and check it often.
Lots of people prefer a mobile phone but a diary is easier I think.

Mortified? Don't beat yourself up over this. It happens. Just phone up the surgery, apologise, and make a new appointment. My GP surgery always sends a text reminder the day before an appointment. If yours doesn't offer this service, which is automated, perhaps suggest that they introduce it.

Plenty of tips here, thanks everyone. I will try some of them, but don't have a smart phone (fees are too expensive) although I do write things on the calendar.
I would have happily paid a fine as 'punishment'

Worked as a Practice Nurse for 13 years. It was the smears that used to get me, 3 missed/DNA/forgotten used to mean a precious hour wasted. Bloods…used to give me a chance to catch up following difficult ones, unless too many didn’t come.

ExDancer

Plenty of tips here, thanks everyone. I will try some of them, but don't have a smart phone (fees are too expensive) although I do write things on the calendar.
I would have happily paid a fine as 'punishment'

90p in W H Smith's sale - write everything down and put it in the kitchen near the kettle so you can see it last thing at night/first thing in the morning!

Works a treat (usually).

www.whsmith.co.uk/products/whsmith-2023-week-to-view-commercial-calendar/5013872123833.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_5C_-8yO_QIVlsvtCh3dCwc7EAQYAyABEgLVs_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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ExDancer, I often forget what day it is - so rely on the reminder texts from doctors and dentists. I do check my mobile morning and evening, though, as I never carry it around with me.

My friend actually has a diary, with everything noted down, so can tell me exactly what she's doing for weeks ahead!

My dentist can charge for missed appointments/late cancellations, but they're very understanding with me. I often have to phone at short notice to change my appointment, due to migraine or back spasm - both unpredictable.