France to fine patients €5 for missing GP appointments

Proposed penalty, intended to boost creaking health service, is criticised by doctors' unions and patients' groups

Patients in France who fail to turn up to a doctor's appointment without a good excuse will be fined 5 (4.30) under a proposal from the government.

Gabriel Attal said on Monday that medical professionals reported an estimated 27m no-shows every year, adding: We cannot allow this to continue."