A medical practice in Eltham has asked patients to help reduce waiting times after enduring 76 cancellations and missed appointments in one week.

The Sherard Road Medical Centre regularly reports the number of people who don't attend in its waiting room to inform other patients who have to wait three to four weeks for a non-emergency GP or nurse appointment.

The latest notice reported that from February 8 until February 15, a "staggering" 76 appointments were cancelled or missed.

News Shopper:

The poster read: "Please help us to reduce the waiting times of appointments by cancelling those that are no longer required."

A receptionist, who didn't want to be named, told News Shopper: "It has a huge effect on us.

"We are the ones who get the complaints from the patients about having to wait weeks to be seen.

"This lets people understand how hard it is to get an appointment and how many hours are wasted every week."

Some patients who failed to show up had on-the-day bookings.

The receptionist said the 76 missed appointments was "lower than usual" and that people often "can’t be bothered" to phone up to cancel.

She added: "Our notices are having a good effect. It is highlighting it and we see many people commenting 'oh my god'.

"It makes people realise they have to cancel."

The Sherard Road Medical Centre will continue to highlight missed appointments until the numbers drop to a more manageable level.