France has promised to fine patients who miss medical appointments in a bid to free up millions of slots.
Anyone who does not attend their consultation will be fined €5 (£4.30) according to the planned measure.
France’s Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said the policy would support the ailing health service as it struggles to cope with the growing demands of an aging population.
But health experts criticized the move, warning it “won’t work” and describing it as “an attempt to blame” patients.
In the United Kingdom, similar plans have been proposed amid requests from doctors themselves.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said the policy would support the ailing health service as it struggles to cope with the growing demands of an aging population. But health experts criticized the move, warning it “won’t work” and describing it as “an attempt to blame” patients.
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Under the yet-to-be-approved French plan, patients would be required to provide their debit or credit card details when making an appointment.
If they don’t show up without giving at least 24 hours’ notice, doctors could legally fine them.
Patients with a valid reason for missing their appointment would still be exempt.
Authorities expect the fines to take effect starting in January. The law change will be presented to the French parliament in the coming months.
Some parts of France have been labeled “medical deserts” because they lack doctors and medical facilities, forcing residents to travel long distances to receive care.
The government said its goal was to ensure everyone had a doctor within 30 minutes of their home.
But Gérard Raymond, president of Assos Santé, a patients group, said: “This is not a way to make patients more responsible, but rather an attempt to blame them and make them feel guilty for the shortcomings of the system.”
Patrick Pelloux, head of the emergency doctors’ union, also told local media: “This will not work.” “It’s just a tax and the health service could be affected.”
Last year, Rishi Sunak backtracked on his own promise to introduce a £10 fine for Britons who fail to turn up for GP appointments, admitting it was “not the right time”.
But in August, Health Minister Maria Caulfield said the plan, first unveiled during Sunak’s bid to become Conservative party leader, did not rule out its possibility in the future.
It is estimated that each missed appointment costs the NHS around £30.
The latest NHS data shows that almost 1.3 million GP appointments in England were classed as ‘no-shows’ in February, meaning a pre-booked patient did not turn up.
This figure represents 4.2 percent of all appointments made that month.
Health experts today warned that any proposal to introduce a charging system would be “counterproductive” and a “mistake”.
Ruth Rankine, director of the NHS Confederation’s primary care network, said: “Our members are clear that introducing a charging system is not the long-term solution and could be counterproductive.
“Introducing a penalty system could also cost the NHS money and add an extra level of bureaucracy to primary care services, as staff would have to manage receiving and tracking payments on top of all the rest of the work.” what do you have to do”.
He warned it could also discourage people “from seeking help when they need it.”
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, president of the Royal College of GPs, said: “It is frustrating when patients miss their appointments, especially when they are in such high demand, but it would be a mistake to introduce fines for patients who do not turn up.”
“Not only would it challenge the fundamental principle of our health service (providing free care when you need it) but there may be legitimate reasons for missing an appointment, and it could be an indication that something more serious is going on.” mistaken.
Last year, Rishi Sunak backtracked on his own promise to introduce a £10 fine for Britons who fail to turn up for GP appointments, admitting it was “not the right time”. But in August, Health Minister Maria Caulfield (pictured) said the plan, first unveiled during Sunak’s bid to become Conservative party leader, did not rule out the possibility of it in the future.
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‘We always urge patients who cannot attend their appointment to inform their practice as soon as possible, so that it can be offered to someone else.
“NHS pressures must be addressed with investment and better workforce planning, not by introducing a charging system that will make things worse.”
Meanwhile, Dennis Reed, of Silver Voices, which campaigns for older Britons, added: “While I have no sympathy for those who regularly miss GP appointments, it must be recognized that sick people and vulnerable can often experience circumstances that lead to non-attendance.
‘Examples such as transport delays, caregiver emergencies, adverse weather conditions or simple forgetfulness should be taken into account.
‘However, unexplained and periodic absences should lead to sanctions.
“It is questionable whether a small fine is enough for these patients; threatening to remove them from the practice list unless their behavior improves would have a greater impact.”
A survey of more than 1,000 Britons last year also found that more than half (51 per cent) would support fines of £10 for patients who miss GP or hospital appointments.
According to Ipsos Mori research, a quarter of respondents admitted they had avoided a GP appointment in the last 12 months because they found it too difficult.
It comes as damning analysis last week revealed almost one in 20 patients have to wait a month for an appointment.
A survey of more than 1,000 Britons last year also found that more than half (51 per cent) would support fines of £10 for patients who miss GP or hospital appointments. According to Ipsos Mori research, a quarter of respondents admitted they had avoided a GP appointment in the last 12 months because they found it too difficult.
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The number of patients facing long waits of a month or more has skyrocketed 38 percent in the past year: from 12.8 to 17.6 million appointments.
In parts of the country such as the Vale of York, four-week waits have soared by 80 per cent over the same period, according to an analysis of NHS data.
GPs have long complained that they are overwhelmed due to the pressures of a growing and aging population and a lack of government funding.
Family doctors have reported making up to 90 appointments per day, a situation comparable to that of a conveyor belt.
Under recommendations put in place by the BMA and the European General Practitioners Union, GPs in the UK today should make no more than 25 appointments a day to ensure “safe care”.
Patient satisfaction has also fallen to its lowest level in four decades.
According to the 2023 GP Patient Survey, a survey of 759,000 Brits, only seven in ten (71.3 per cent) described their overall experience with their GP practice as ‘good’ overall. Satisfaction has fallen to an all-time low.
But GPs have also warned that strikes could still be “on the table” after a GP referendum, carried out by the British Medical Association, found that 99 per cent of 19,000 respondents rejected the new NHS contract.