Patients have a duty to attend pre-booked appointments promptly, and to take into account logistical difficulties or the time involved in travelling to their appointment.

 

Less than 10 minutes late:

 

The patient will be marked as an arrival in their pre-booked “slot”. The clinician or cardiac technician will call them in at the first available opportunity. The patient should be advised of this and that there may be some delay while they are fitted in.

 

More than 10 minutes, less than 20 minutes late:

 

The patient will be advised that as they are a late arrival the clinician/cardiac technician will have to see punctual patients first, and that they will be added on to the end of the clinic.  Therefore, they could have a considerable delay (depending on the time). They may be seen during the clinic only if there is an unexpected gap, in which case they will be called in. The patient should be encouraged to re-book. In all cases, the clinician will be sent a message advising them that the patient has reported late.

 

More than 20 minutes late:

  

The patient has clearly missed the appointment and should be encouraged to rebook.  The patient will be offered an alternative appointment later that day if one is available, e.g. a patient cancellation. If we are unable to accommodate the patient at a later appointment slot, we will rebook them for the next available convenient appointment.  Where there is an indication of clinical urgency, they may be added to the end of the clinic list at the clinician’s discretion. In all cases, the clinician will be sent a message advising them that the patient has reported late.