Contracts for Innovation Cymru - Reducing Missed Appointments and Improving Access to Planned Care

What the buyer says

Challenge Overview Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) experiences persistently high rates of missed outpatient appointments, with approximately 64,000 appointments missed over the last 12 months. These missed appointments create challenges for patients and services alike, contributing to longer waiting times, underutilised clinical capacity, financial inefficiencies and poorer patient experience. CTM estimates that missed appointments may account for approximately £9.6 million of avoidable lost value each year, representing a significant opportunity to improve both patient access and the use of NHS resources. Evidence suggests that non-attendance is often linked to a range of practical, behavioural, communication and accessibility barriers rather than a simple choice not to attend. These barriers can include challenges associated with appointment communication, transport, geography, caring responsibilities, socioeconomic factors, digital exclusion, health inequalities and service design. Contracts for Innovation Cymru (CfIC) is seeking innovative solutions that help people overcome these barriers, reducing missed appointments whilst improving access to planned care. The challenge is deliberately open and does not prescribe a particular technology, product or service. We welcome ideas from a wide range of sectors and disciplines and encourage applicants to think creatively about how attendance, access and patient experience can be improved. We are seeking innovative approaches that help reduce missed appointments and improve access to planned care. Solutions may address one or more aspects of the challenge, including but not limited to: • Appointment communication and engagement • Accessibility of information • Appointment planning and management • Beh…