I see......in a nutshell......if a patient doesn't turn up for review it is not the responsibility of the Consultant for any untoward sequelae.
However.........it it was for a post operative review, and the patient didn't turn up, then the Consultant may ask for the nurses or secretary to contact the patient.
It varies from hospital to hospital, some hospitals automatically send one further appt and then if that is ignored, the patient is deemed to be lost to follow up.