Health and Care bosses in Lanarkshire are reminding patients about the importance of keeping appointments.

The plea has been made after it emerged that there were 82 appointments where people did not attend scheduled appointments at treatment room clinics in one locality in South Lanarkshire last month.

Primary, community and secondary care services across Lanarkshire continue to experience winter levels of demand at the height of summer.

Craig Cunningham, Head of Commissioning and Performance for South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said the need for the general public to play their part in supporting frontline service is critical.

“Out staff’s time and expertise is a precious commodity – now more than ever. Our plea is simple; Please do not waste it. Please attend scheduled appointments on time and observe all safety advice.

“If you can’t make the appointment, allow enough time for cancellation. That will enable our staff and partners to continue focussing their energies where they are needed most and offer the appointment to others.”

Mr Cunningham added: “Sadly, and generally speaking, the issue of some patients not attending appointments is one that won’t be unfamiliar to health and care staff across Lanarkshire.

“The situation of people who did not attend the treatment rooms in our Clydesdale locality is concerning, especially given the current context.

“The pressure on the health and care system continues to be significant at this time so we would urge people to be really mindful of that.

“Attendances at emergency departments are at record levels and GP practices in Lanarkshire are busier than ever, reporting a 30 to 50 per cent increase in calls compared with pre-pandemic levels.

“When a patient or service user does not attend for an appointment, be it a community, primary care or acute setting, a valuable opportunity for health and care provision is lost.”