New data on appointments, published by NHS England, show that general practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes offered over 5,684,000 appointments during the year 2023/24, an increase of 4.9% on the previous year.
And during the period from February to April 2024, the increase was even higher, with 8% more appointments being offered to patients. This means that over 1,442,000 appointments were available between February and April this year, compared with around 1,334,000 in the same period in 2023.
Despite this good news, however, over 20,300 patients (4.5% of appointments) in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes booked an appointment but failed to turn up.
Felicity Cox, chief executive officer at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:
“These new figures show that GPs and their staff are working incredibly hard to offer many more appointments. These statistics show that we’ve been able to see over 100,000 more patients than in the same period last year.
“Although new technology makes it easier to see a health professional remotely, we know that there are some patients who don’t have the equipment or confidence to be able to take up this option.
“Primary care is open for business but please help us to help you, by making an appointment at your practice only if you need it and by making sure you keep it once you’re booked in.
“Remember, too, that it may be easier to access the advice and treatment you need for many illnesses by visiting your local pharmacy, especially with the new Pharmacy First scheme which offers access to treatments for a range of minor illnesses without the need to see your doctor.”
