To adhere to the appointment schedule and to ensure that all patients receive an excellent level of service, late arrivals are to be managed as follows:
If you are late for your appointment – patient services may:
- Check with the clinician if they are able to still see the patient and advise them that the clinician may already be seeing the next patient
- Advise the patient of the importance of attending appointments on time.
Due to the very short appointment length, if you are late for a blood test you will be required to rebook.
If you are more than ten minutes late – patient services will advise the patient that they have missed their appointment and:
- Discuss the patient with the GP or nurse and, if they agree and the patient is willing to wait, advise that they will be seen at the end of that session
- Offer the patient an appointment later during that session or that day (if an appointment is available)
- Ask the patient to book the next available appointment
NB – It is at the discretion of the clinician whether the patient is seen. If there is a clinical need, the clinician will advise patient services accordingly. Administrative staff are not to interrupt a clinician during an appointment and should, instead, send a screen message.
Clinicians Running Late
We strive to make sure appointments run on time, but this cannot always be guaranteed.
It is unfortunately common for unavoidable complications to arise during a clinic.
Clinicians often deal with complex patient issues or sudden medical emergencies which can cause unexpected delays. While it’s frustrating to wait, it’s helpful to remember that our staff is trying their best to provide the best care for everyone. You can ask patient services about the delay and how long it might be, or if there’s a way to reschedule if it’s going to be a very long wait.
We apologise for any delay and inconvenience caused as a result of such delays and kindly ask for your understanding and patience.