Missed GP appointments have cost the NHS a staggering £650 million over the past year, with 16,271,735 appointments going unattended. Health Secretary James Murray has decided against imposing penalties on patients who fail to show up, following the stance of his predecessor, Wes Streeting, who deemed fines a 'slippery slope.' Public sentiment is shifting, as a survey shows that two-thirds of voters support fines for missed appointments, with a notable majority among Tory and Reform UK supporters. The financial impact is significant, with missed appointments in October alone costing the NHS £80.1 million, which could have funded the salaries of 2,500 new nurses. The highest rates of missed appointments were reported in London, at 5.69%, followed by the North West and the Midlands. The Department for Health and Social Care encourages patients to notify their surgeries if they cannot attend, emphasizing the importance of appointment management.