Up to one in five patients are regularly missing GP appointments in Scotland, a study has found.
The study found 19% of patients missed more than two in a three-year period, with younger, male patients aged 16 to 30 found to be the worst offenders.
Appointments that were booked two or three days in advance were more likely to be missed than those made two weeks in advance.
David Ellis, of the University of Lancaster, one of the lead authors of the study, says the research has identified where doctors' surgeries need to focus their efforts.
He said, "Some of the solutions might include practices learning to better manage patients who are more likely to not attend. So for example that might mean giving more appointments on the day than say, two to three days in advance."
Source:
BBC