Reducing waiting times for GU medicine appointments: the impact of a new appointment system.

Our objective was to reduce the 'did not attend' (DNA) rates and waiting times by introducing a new confirmatory appointment system prior to their attendance at both Hartlepool and Middlesbrough genitourinary (GU) medicine departments. In Middlesbrough it was previous day appointment confirmation, whereas at Hartlepool it was 10 days. Both systems achieved significant attendance rates of 83.4% and 79.1% at Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, in comparison to 68.7% and 75.0% prior to the new system. The new system will improve the departmental capacity.