HUNDREDS of hours of doctors' time has been wasted resulting in thousands of pounds lost to a cash-strapped NHS due to missed GP appointments.

Responding to a freedom of information request by the Leader, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has confirmed that in the 2017/18 financial year there were a total of 3,080 'did not attend' GP appointments across Wrexham and Flintshire.

This, a spokesman for the health board confirmed, equates to 513 hours (where the average appointment is 10 minutes) and £38,475 of locum GP cost.

Geoff Ryall-Harvey, chief officer for the North Wales Community Health Council, said: "Every time you don't attend an appointment and don't inform someone, that is probably an appointment that someone else is desperate to have.

"If you can't attend, you should let your doctor know so the appointment can be re-allocated.

"It is a no-cost way of improving waiting times in the NHS.

"We understand things happen at the last minute, but even then if you can tell someone it means people don't spend as long in the waiting room.

"It is an act of common courtesy and a big saving for the NHS - people need to think about other patients and have some consideration."

A Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board spokesman said: “Demand for GP appointments is high and each missed appointment is a wasted opportunity for another patient to have been seen.

“Having to re-book appointments for patients who did not attend then makes it more difficult for other patients to get to see their GP quickly.

“We know that circumstances mean people will sometimes not be able to attend, or no longer need, their appointment, but they should always let their GP practice know as soon as possible so that appointments can be made available to other patients.”