GP practices could soon benefit from artificial intelligence (AI) software that reduces the number of no-shows to appointments by a third.
Every month, more than a million people miss their GP appointments.
In 2022, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak proposed a £10 fine for missing appointments, but was forced to backtrack after GPs criticized the plan.
An AI system, piloted at a GP practice in Norfolk, could now be deployed to tackle the problem.
GP practices could soon benefit from artificial intelligence (AI) software that reduces the number of no-shows for appointments by a third (file image)
An AI system, piloted at a Norfolk GP surgery, could be deployed to tackle the problem (file image)
The technology, called SystmOne DNA, analyzes patient records and identifies those with a history of missed appointments.
It then automatically sends a text message reminding the patient of the appointment at 5 pm the day before the scheduled visit.
Karen Bell, director of surgery at Trinity and Bowthorpe GP practice in Norwich, which has 11,000 patients, said AI has reduced no-shows by 30 per cent.
“This equates to hundreds of appointments since the start of the pilot program,” he added.
