To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many outpatient appointments were missed (a) in England and (b) in each relevant NHS organisation in the most recent year for which figures are available; what proportion of the total number of out-patient appointments this figure represented for each relevant NHS organisation; and what estimate she has made of the overall cost to the NHS of such missed appointments. (137392)

The number of missed out-patient appointments in England in 2005-06 was 5,582,315 or 11 per cent. of all national health service out-patient appointments. Data for individual trusts have been placed in the Library. The Department has not estimated the cost of missed appointments. The choose and book system can be used to help reduce the number of missed appointments by giving patients greater certainty and choice over the date, time and place of their appointments.