By Bryan Eneas

La Ronge Medical Clinic hopes to curb no shows

Nov 7, 2017 | 1:00 PM

The La Ronge Medical Clinic is addressing the volume of patients who don’t show up to their appointments with a new policy.

The policy was introduced after analysing data collected between August and October of this year. Almost 740 patients booked appointments and didn’t show up. In the same time frame, the clinic was forced to turn away almost 460 patients.

“When we get people that don’t show up for their appointments, they’re using a spot that could have been used for somebody who really wanted to see a physician,” Clinic manager Rhonda Oliver said. “[The policy is] to deter the no-shows, and to let them know these spots are precious.”

If a patient books an appointment and doesn’t show up at the scheduled time twice in a row, they will no longer have advanced booking privileges according to the clinic manager.  

Oliver said patients who have missed one booked appointment in the last three months will be informed they have one more opportunity to schedule a visit, but they will be moved to walk-in only should they miss the date.

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The manager asked patients who know they won’t be able to make their pre-booked appointments to notify the clinic in advance. She recommended calling after 9:30 a.m. as receptionists are busy making bookings and taking calls during the first hour of the day.

The clinic is considering getting a cellphone which would allow patients to text the clinic if plans change.

She said the new policy is the first major step the clinic has taken to curb no-shows. The manager estimated at least 15 people per day miss their scheduled appointments. Oliver said the clinic isn’t trying to be cruel or turn away patients, staff are just trying to educate patients about the consequences of missing booked appointments.

The policy is a temporary measure, according to Oliver, but there is no end date as the clinic is currently sorting out its staffing issues. Currently, the clinic is searching to fill two full time equivalent positions. Physicians have stepped in to help from around the region, but Oliver said the clinic prefers having full time employees on staff.

“Our supervisors at Northern Medical Services are trying very hard to recruit, but it just hasn’t been that successful,” Oliver said. “We’ve got a huge demand, but our supply is lower now.”

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas