From January 6 Spalding’s Church Street Surgery will be texting patients the day before to remind them of their appointment.

The surgery’s new computer software called MJog will automatically send text message reminders in a bid to combat carelessness which cost 170 appointments just in November.

At Gosberton Medical Centre, which had 75 failed attendances in November, patients are told on the practice website that if they miss two slots in a year they will have to explain why, and if they continue to miss more, could be asked to re-register elsewhere.

This is now official policy for Lincolnshire NHS’ 102 GP practices.

Church Street practice manager Grant Scott said: “This is a huge problem. We write to people who have missed two appointments and explain that just not turning up without telling us blocks other people who need to see the doctor.

“It not only wastes the doctors’ time but also spoils other people’s chances of getting in.

“MJog will take a while to settle in and won’t be appropriate to use for everyone but we are hoping it will help by jogging memories.”

At Holbeach Medical Centre an average 200 appointments are missed each month now with a maximum booking period of two weeks – an improvement on the number with longer booking time of four weeks.

l Nearly 74 per cent of Lincolnshire GPs are now offering longer hours to improve access for patients who work nine to five.

Local surgeries contacted by the Lincolnshire Free Press have already made adjustments or are still consulting patients on what changes they would like to see made first.

Church Street, Spalding, and Holbeach Medical Centre have both extended hours to include three evening sessions from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.