AROUND 16 hours of clinical time was wasted due to patients not turning up to appointments at a GP surgery.

Kidderminster Medical Centre staff have said 96 appointments were not attended in January this year. 

They have reminded people to contact the surgery as soon as possible if they can no longer attend appointments.

In a post on Facebook, the medical centre said: "Recently we have noticed a large increase in wasted appointments DNAs (Did Not Attend).

"During January 24 we had 96 appointments that were not attended, which is 960 minutes equating to 16 hours of clinical time wasted.

"At a time when demand on general practice is at an all-time high, it’s important to utilise the appointments we have.

"If you have an appointment booked and cannot attend, please contact the surgery as soon as possible to cancel it. This way, we can offer the appointment to someone else who needs it.

"You can cancel appointments by calling us on 01562 546740 or by submitting an ‘Admin Query’ on Accurx".