Should you be fined for missing the doc?
Fine proposal thumbs up as NHS suffering
It was revealed last week that millions of pounds was being lost by the NHS every year through people not showing for appointments.
There are now calls for patients who miss GP and hospital appointments to be fined.
We asked the people in East Kilbride what they thought.
EK shopper Robin Smith described missing an appointment as “unforgivable” and backed the calls for a fine to be put in place.
He added: “It does depend on the severity of the fine, something around the £15-£20 mark would be fair.
“I’m very grateful for the service the NHS offer and don’t think they should be losing that much money because people can’t pick up a phone to cancel.”
Susan Auld from Strathaven also backed the move, telling the News: “A fine would be a good thing.
“If would discourage people from missing appointments.”
Maria Carmen from the Village took a more lenient view: “Something should be done, but if you have a very good reason for not showing up I don’t think action should be taken. “There are two sides to every story.” Jenny Bradley was in favour of a punishment for those missing appointments, adding: “There should be a fine. It’s not fair to miss an appointment when there is a long waiting list.”
It’s not fair to miss an appointment when there is a long waiting list Jenny Bradley