Non-attendance at a psychiatric day hospital new patient clinic.

People who do not attend for treatment present problems in the efficient running of any service. This is particularly the case with new patients referred to a psychiatric clinic where an hour may be set aside for the initial assessment. High non-attendance rates cause administrative problems and loss of valuable time. The referring doctor may be left with his patient unassessed, the patient may miss valuable treatment or advice, and an incorrect assessment of the true prevalence of some disorders may be made.