A questionnaire survey of 1000 patients was carried out to determine the proportion of patients attending a large genitourinary medicine department in Newcastle upon Tyne who wish to be seen within 48 hours. The Department of Health target for patients offered an appointment within 48 hours is 100%. Its target for the proportion of patients seen within 48 hours is 95%. Patients were surveyed to ascertain their preference about waiting times for appointments within the clinic. In total, only 33% stated that they wished always to be seen within the government's target of 48 hours.
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ClarkeJ, ChristodoulidesH, TaylorY. Supply and demand: estimating the real need for care while meeting the 48 hour waiting time target in a genitourinary medicine clinic by a closed appointment system. Sex Transm Infect2006;82:45–8
