MEN are less likely to turn up for hospital appointments than women, with more than one in 10 no shows.

New analysis shows 11.9 per cent of booked consultations were skipped by male patients, compared to 9.9 per cent for women.

Patients from the most deprived areas were also more likely to miss appointments without calling in advance than those from more affluent communities, according to the official NHS research.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has the biggest problem, with people failing to arrive for more than 12 out of every 100 outpatient clinic appointments.

A number of initiatives such as texting people to remind them about their hospital consultation, and making contact with patients to discuss suitable times for appointments - rather than just issuing letters that set a date - have been tried to reduce the problem.

However, the data shows there has not been a major reduction in so-called "did not attend" rates for the last four years.

Dr Peter Bennie, chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland and a consultant psychiatrist, said that even despite the trend, it was risky for clinics to book in extra patients in the expectation one in 10 would not arrive.

He said: "If you do have someone who has not attended for a clinic appointment that has a knock on-effect for the other folk waiting for an appointment. If you have not come and you could not inform us in advance, you have delayed a treatment opportunity for another patient."

However, he said doctors could always find something "clinically useful" to do in the empty appointment slots. He said: "It is frustrating for doctors if people say it is a waste of time, because doctors will find something to do with that time."

He said it would be interesting to see how the number of people missing appointments varies between different areas of medicine. In mental health efforts are made to trace some patients who have not attended as they may be suffering severe symptoms, such as an episode of psychosis.

The research shows those over the age of 70 are the most reliable patients, while the under-30s are the least dependable and more than twice as likely to miss their appointment.

The report says: "Did Not Attends have a major impact on the health service in Scotland in terms of cost and waiting times."

It acknowledges that issues with childcare, work commitments and difficulties with transport were among the explanations for no shows. 'Did not attend' rates spike during extreme winter weather conditions.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Jim Hume said: "Hospitals are under a great amount of pressure already due to a lack of capacity and staff so every step must be taken to reduce missed hospital appointments. Whilst people live busy lives, the NHS should work to find innovative ways to reduce this."

Jenny Marra, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, said the lack of progress in tackling the number of missed appointments was disappointing.

She said: "More clearly needs to be done by health boards and government to help people understand the strain that missed appointments put on our NHS and remind people of their responsibilities."