Letter: We need to know no-show reasons
Although it may have come as no surprise to those who follow NHS news stories, the Shropshire Star headline of October 21"80 no-shows a day at hospitals" was still a frustrating statistic for all who deplore such a waste of resources.
However I do feel that it would be interesting to know why these appointments are missed.
The article is full of comments from "health bosses" and Telford MP David Wright all highly critical of those wasting NHS resources and yet in the same week we are told that there are many thousands of undiagnosed dementia cases in the UK.
Is it possible that a percentage of the no-shows could be down to people living with dementia but without the support to help them cope with this sort of situation?
Technology is being used to target the problem but are any efforts being made to ensure that people who need extra support are being catered for?
Both GPs making referrals and staff making outpatient appointments at the hospitals should satisfy themselves that individuals are either fully competent to cope with arrangements or have support to assist them along the way.
It may take training, some well thought out questions and good observation skills but I hope that with "patient care always at the top of the agenda" the possibility of missed appointments being due to this disease is being explored.
Helen Hall, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury
