Appointment 'no-shows' are costing the NHS money

The Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) survey statistics suggest that 90% of doctors believe the problem causes longer waiting lists.

The British Medical Association (BMA) estimates that 1.6 million doctors' appointments are missed north of the border every year.

It is believed the cost of a missed appointment is �18 which leaves the NHS with an annual bill of about �30m.

They may not realise it but they are denying other patients the opportunity to see their GP Dr Mary Church, BMA

Now it seems GPs would welcome radical steps to tackle the problem.

Two thirds of GP practices agreed that patients should have to pay if they failed to turn up, according to the survey.

And they believe if they had the facilities to remind patients - by phone, text message or e-mail - then more would keep their appointment.

The Scottish Executive wants all patients to be able to see their GP within 48 hours.

GPs' frustrated

But doctors say this target would be easier to meet if their time was not wasted by patients failing to turn up.

The survey forms part of the DPP's Keep It or Cancel It campaign to help curb missed appointments.

Dr Mary Church, of the BMA's Scottish general practitioners' committee, said patients should be more responsible.

She said: "GPs are frustrated at the lack of time they have to devote to each patient and patients who fail to turn up for their appointments simply add to the problem.

Service provided

"They may not realise it but they are denying other patients the opportunity to see their GP.

"Far from wanting to discourage patients from making appointments, GPs are committed to encouraging better access for those who need it.

"Doctors do not want to see patients punished for missing appointments. All they want is for patients to call and cancel if they can't make it."

Dr Simon Fradd, chairman of the DPP, said: "These findings show that having a good health service depends on the way people use it as well as the people providing the service."