Missed Appointments

At Sydney Goldwyn, we take our work seriously. Our appointment times are generally longer compared to what other opticians may offer. You will get to see one of our experienced optometrists who will use state of the art equipment to examine your eyes. Our fees are based upon the time and expertise that we provide.

We do not double book or use rolling clinics and so missed appointments mean loss of clinical time to the practice, which results in loss of income. As a business we still have wages, overheads and professional membership fees to pay.   In addition to this, missed appointments are unfair on other patients who we are unable to see sooner.

What if you need to cancel your appointment?

The demand to see our experienced optometrists is high, and so we ask that you give 24 hours’ notice if you are unable to attend your appointment. A charge will be made for appointments missed, cancelled or rearranged at less than 24 hours’ notice.

Missed Appointment Charges

The charge is £25, and it will be added to your account.  You will be expected to settle the payment within 7 days. Should you wish to contest the charge with a genuine and valid reason then we will consider this on a case by case basis.  You can appeal in writing, by email or request a call a back.  We may not always be able to deal with your appeal immediately.

 

The missed appointment fee is a nominal charge and the actual monetary loss to the practice is far greater.  We hope patients and public will realise the loss incurred to healthcare businesses when appointments are missed.  Missed appointment fees are also commonly charged in other professions; dentists, spas, hairdressing, physiotherapists and chiropodists, to name a few.

 

Missed appointment fees apply to both NHS and private patients. The NHS does not pay towards missed appointments. In England, opticians are paid per activity, by NHS England.  This means that if we have not examined your eyes, we are unable to recover money lost in missed appointments.

 

Missed appointment fees need to be paid within 7 days of the appointment/invoice date. Failure to pay within 7 days may result in further charges and interest being added. Any future appointments you may have made will be cancelled.

 

To settle your invoice please call the practice.