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Reducing the time you and your patients wait

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Kadiyali M. Srivatsa  and
Danny Allen
Kadiyali M. Srivatsa
Affiliation:
North Wycombe Community Mental Health Team, 1 Cedar Avenue, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP15 7DW
Danny Allen*
Affiliation:
North Wycombe Community Mental Health Team, 1 Cedar Avenue, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP15 7DW
*
∗ Correspondence
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Abstract

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Aims and methods

In an attempt to reduce patient non-attendance at first appointments, consultant referrals were handled differentially over three years. From referral letters some patients were referred elsewhere, some sent appointments and some invited to make appointments.

Results

There was a reduction in patients who did not attend an appointment and an increase in the proportion of patients, not referred elsewhere who were seen.

Clinical implications

This system reduces consultant waiting time in clinics and the interval before a patient is seen.

Information

Type
Original papers
Information
Psychiatric Bulletin , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , March 1999 , pp. 156 - 159
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

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