Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2006 May;11(2):98-103.
doi: 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2005.00386.x.

Evaluation of a Waiting List Initiative in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

Carmen Clemente  1 , Rita McGrath  2 , Clare Stevenson  3 , Jacqueline Barnes  4
Affiliations

Evaluation of a Waiting List Initiative in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

Carmen Clemente et al. Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2006 May.

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate Initial Assessment (IA), a new system for managing referrals. The system is designed to: reduce waiting times, reduce 'did not attend' (DNA) rates, and improve multi-disciplinary team working and team morale, compared to the existing referral procedure.

Method: A comparison was made between a child mental health service using IA and a second centre using the existing system over a 6-month period, based on administrative records, a child functioning measure, staff and user questionnaires.

Results: The Initial Assessment system was associated with a significantly shorter average waiting time for the first appointment (9 weeks) and a lower DNA rate (10%) in the intervention centre. The populations seen under the new and existing systems were similar in terms of the severity of cases. Staff reported a positive impact overall on team working and team morale, despite a reported individual increase in time pressure; users reported acceptance of the system.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that the increase in team morale and support from colleagues associated with the new system may have mediated against any negative impact of the increased time pressure. Substantial cost savings to the NHS are indicated.

Keywords: Initial Assessment; service delivery; waiting list.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Aggett, P., Bansal, H., Evans, N., Henderson, J., McEvoy, J., van Meuwen, R., & Swainson, M. (2001). Developing an assessment - treatment model: A team approach to organisational change. Young Minds Magazine, 52, 23-25.
    1. Barnes, J., Stein, A., & Rosenberg, W. (1999). Evidence-based medicine and evaluation of mental health services: Methodological issues and future directions. Archives of Diseases in Childhood, 80, 280-285.
    1. Clemente, C., McGrath, R., & Stevenson, C. (2004). The waiting game. Young Minds Magazine, 69, 20-21.
    1. Department of Health (1996). Publication policy and guidance - NHS waiting times: Guidance for good administrative practice. London: NHS Executive.
    1. Foreman, D.M., & Hanna, M. (2000). How long can a waiting list be? The impact of waiting time on intention to attend child and adolescent psychiatric clinics. Psychiatric Bulletin, 24, 211-213.

LinkOut - more resources