HALSTEAD residents are calling for the town’s surgery to issue fines for missed appointments.

Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery had 245 missed appointments during June, putting an additional strain on services.

Residents say they often struggled to book an appointment, which is only made worse by people missing their slots.

Adrian Smart said: “Whilst collecting a prescription I noticed that the surgery were displaying the fact that 245 people failed to turn up for their appointment in June.

“This is one of the reasons that appointments are unattainable.

“A record of this should be kept of the people responsible and given a warning that failure to keep an appointment will result in a fine and if unpaid removal from the practice should it occur again. There is no excuse not to pick up the phone and cancel.”

Another resident praised the surgery, but called for a “three strikes and out” system.

Julie Reid said: “It’s true there are too many missed appointments which should be charged for. Receptionists on the whole doing a great job dealing with a mostly unsatisfied moaning community.

“I say £25 for each missed appointment and three strikes, you’re out.”

Emma Cook added: “Maybe if the surgery bought in a fine system for the 250 patients that don’t turn up to their appointments every month it would be easier to get an appointment.”

Dr Caroline Dollery, Chair of Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We do understand patients’ frustration when GP appointments are not taken up by the people who asked for them. It is heartening to see how determined patients are to protect their practice in Halstead.

“Unfortunately, GPs’ contracts with NHS England do not allow them to issue financial penalties to patients in this sort of circumstance."