Nearly 2,800 missed appointments at La Ronge clinic in first eight months of 2019

According to information made public by the La Ronge Medical Clinic, there have been approximately 2,800 doctor appointments that were missed without being cancelled between January and August.

“I’m not sure if our no-show rates are reflective of a provincial trend or if it’s more of a local phenomenon,” Dr. Michael Bayda said. “It’s also something that I know fluctuates with time and, from working in the community for several years, I know there are times when our no-show rates match our walk-in rates very evenly. Then there have [been] times when our no-show rates are significantly lower and there are times when they are higher.”

For the last couple of months, the clinic has only been operating with an average of only 3.5 physicians each day, which has made it difficult to have enough appointment spots open for everyone who calls in. The clinic estimates throughout the summer, an average of 16 people per day did not show up when scheduled. Between May and August, there were 1,397 no-shows with 344 in May, 367 in June, 307 in July and 379 in August.

Staff at the clinic find often people who have missed their booked appointment come in later to be seen as a walk-in. Between May and August, there were 1,868 walk-ins with 425 in May, 427 in June, 478 in July and 537 in August. A regular appointment is 15 minutes, while a walk-in is only 10 minutes and is intended for minor emergencies or issues such as infections, allergic reactions, infant concerns, cuts, burns and eye injuries.