Daylight Savings Pushes NHS to Lose £450K Over Skipped GP Appointments

Daylight Saving Time’s After‑Party: Why the NHS Loses More Than 300,000 Appointments

When clocks spring forward, many of us feel like we’re short‑changing our own bedtime. But the consequences stretch far beyond yawns—over 300,000 NHS appointments are slated to be missed during the first week after the shift.

The Numbers Behind the Night‑Shift

Average missed appointments per week: 302,056
Throw in a 5 % spike: 317,159 total missed appointments from April 1–7.
That means: an extra 15,103 appointments are canceled.
Cost per missed GP visit: roughly £30.
Resulting NHS loss: about £453,090.

Why the Clock Google’s Yawn?

Brits are losing an hour of sleep each day—quite literally. That one extra hour can quickly turn into an extra hour of oversleeping that spills over into the next day’s commitments.

In the whirlwind of post‑daylight savings life, a lot of people simply forget about their appointments. The stakes aren’t just emotional discomfort; it’s an actual dent in the NHS’s ability to deliver timely care.

Patient Claim Line’s Takeaway

Charlotte Rennox, Patient Claim Line, sums it up: “Missing appointments cost the NHS a hefty £450k in the week after clocks go forward. These funds could have been earmarked for patient support and better resources.”

“Even a small drop in missed appointments could make a huge difference—cutting both cost and health risks. After the strain of recent years, it’s more urgent than ever to back our NHS.”

What Can You Do? (Outside the Doctor’s Office)

Know the policy: Check your local GP surgery’s cancellation guideline. A well‑timed cancel means another patient’s slot can be filled.
Plan bedtime: Think about when you’ll hit the pillow. A sleep schedule that matches the new hour can help keep you on track.
Set reminders: Phone alerts, sticky notes—any tool that can give a nudge when your weekend is shifting.