HAMPSHIRE health bosses have called on patients to remember to cancel their appointments rather than just not turning up.

The plea comes after health secretary Jeremy Hunt backed the idea of fining those who fail to show up to GP appointments.

Hampshire MPs gave a mixed response to the issue but admitted it was a waste of taxpayers money and resources.

Five years ago the Daily Echo launched a ‘Turn Up or Tell ’Em’ campaign after the matter became such a problem in Hampshire. Now Mr Hunt’s comments have re-ignited national debate.

Although Mr Hunt said charging would be difficult to put into practice, he has no objection to it in principle.

Missed appointments cost the taxpayer £1 billion a year.

Dr Sarah Schofield, chair of NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We know there are pressures for patients to book an appointment with their GP, so it’s important to remember to contact your GP if you feel you no longer need an appointment.

“We know it’s not always easy to make a cancellation for a variety of reasons but, if you are feeling better and able to make the cancellation, it means someone who is poorly can take that slot.”

Daily Echo:

Desmond Swayne, Conservative MP for New Forest West, said he would back the concept of charging.

He said: “It seems to me a good idea. It would make people more inclined to keep appointments. If people are wasting them then clearly they should be discouraged from doing so.

“It’s perfectly proper that something that’s provided free should be treated with the respect it deserves,” he said. “If you don’t show up you should pay accordingly.”

Julian Lewis, MP for New Forest East, added: “I understand the frustration of hardworking NHS staff when appointments are missed but I do think there would be practical problems in trying to enforce fines if people refused to pay them.“On the whole I’m doubtful that a practical scheme could be designed but I’m willing to be persuaded.”

MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford Steve Brine, also Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Health Secretary, said: “The NHS will remain free at the point of use under this Government, but we want people to be told the cost of missing appointments otherwise it’s a free service with little value attached to it.”

The Daily Echo joined forces with the NHS to launch its campaign on missed appointments in 2010 aimed at reducing staggering numbers of people missing medical appointments.

This was backed by Southampton General and Princess Anne hospitals, as well as Winchester’s Royal Hampshire County Hospital who revealed how many thousands of people missed their slots.

Then shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley also praised the campaign on a visit to Southampton General Hospital.

Downing Street has insisted the Government had no plans to charge patients for missing NHS appointments and was committed to free healthcare for all.