MORE people miss their hospital appointments when the clocks go forward according to research by the University of York and Lancaster University.
Figures show there is a five per cent increase in missed appointments when the clocks change.
NHS data shows that there were eight million missed appointments in 2016 to 2017.
At a cost of £120 per consultation, researchers warned this trend causes "significant financial issues" for the NHS.
Dr Rob Jenkins, from the University of York’s department of psychology, said: “It might be the case that the increase in missed appointments following the spring clock change might be due to people losing an hour of sleep and having worse sleep quality.
“It may also be the case that people arrive early for appointments after the autumn clock change and late after the clocks go forward in spring.”
The research also showed that the effect wears off after a week.
The clocks will go forward on March 25 at 1am.
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