Table 3 Most common reasons for refusal in active, passive and ill categories

Active refusals (61% of refusals)

N

% of Active

 Too busy

1169

38.9

 No reason given

860

28.6

 Cannot be bothered

835

27.8

Passive refusals (3.3% of refusals)

N

% of Passive

 Refusal by relative

102

62.2

 Refusal by residential/nursing home

26

15.9

 Not in after appointments made

23

14.0

Ill refusals (35.6% of refusals)

N

% of Ill

 GP refusal of one patient

1115

63.5

 Too ill (self reported)

337

19.2

 Too ill (proxy reported)

149

8.5