Campaign delivers record low month in missed outpatient appointments

A record low in missed outpatient appointments across May shows a campaign to reduce the number of missed appointments is working.

The latest data shows Tasmania recorded the lowest ever percentage (6.6 per cent) of appointments that went unattended without prior notification from the patient.

The positive results means that more Tasmanians are able to access their public outpatient medical appointment sooner.

This is a significant improvement, especially when compared to early 2020 when the percentage was higher than 10 per cent - meaning that one in every 10 appointments went unattended.

Every missed appointment can be given to another patient if the Department is told in advance, and Tasmanians are clearly hearing the message and doing the right thing by other patients.

The Department of Health understands that life is busy, and plans can change, but the message for Tasmanians is clear – if you can’t make it, let someone else take it.

The campaign encourages Tasmanians to let us know in advance if they cannot make their appointment and includes advertising across radio and social media.

It is supported by the important work of the Outpatient Central Services team, which completes courtesy call confirmations, responding to requests for rescheduling and actioning cancellations, auditing wait lists, and processing e-referrals.

The campaign aligns with the Department of Health’s four-year strategy, Transforming Outpatient Services 2022-26, which aims to provide best practice and contemporary outpatient services within clinically appropriate time frames.