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Attendance rate in an alcohol problem clinic

Gwent Community Health NHS Trust, Talygam County Hospital, Griffithstown, Pontypool, Gwent

Andrew J. McBride, Consultant Psychiatrist

Community Addiction Unit, Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Whitchurch Hospital, Whitchurch, Cardiff

^* Correspondence

The high rate of non-attendance for first appointments at psychiatric clinics is wasteful of health service resources. Previous studies have demonstrated reductions in the non-attendance rates when referred patients were asked to contact the clinic to confirm that they wished to be seen before an appointment was sent. The effect of introducing such a process to a community based alcohol service was investigated. Results showed that although there was a reduction in the non-attendance rate, the overall effect was to discourage patients from attending the clinic, resulting in a large reduction in the proportion of all referrals seen. Alternative approaches are discussed.