To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the process following the cancellation of an outpatient appointment within three days of the visit; and whether allowances are made for (i) older people who have appointments; and (ii) extenuating circumstances.

If a patient cancels their appointment, they will be given a second appointment, which should be within 6 weeks of the original appointment date. If a second appointment is cancelled, the patient will not normally be offered a third opportunity and will be referred to their clinician. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration, for example bereavement, when deciding whether to offer a third appointment. While there are no arrangements specific to older people; HSC Trusts should ensure that vulnerable adults who cancel their outpatient appointment have access to an appropriate healthcare professional to provide assistance.