Results and costs of a computer-assisted immunization scheme.

The arrangements adopted in the West Sussex immunization scheme have already been described (Galloway, 1963; IBM United Kingdom Limited, 1966). From the details given on immunization consent forms (which are derived from birth notifications) the computer arranges appointments for child patients to attend clinics or general practitioners' surgeries, according to their parents' choice. For each clinic or general practitioner, the computer prints each month a list of patients due for a procedure and an appointment card addressed to the parents of each patient. For all clinic and some general practitioner appointments, the cards (posted direct to the patients from the County Health Department) give particulars of the dates and times of the appointments, which are normally arranged at the rate of 28 every 15 minutes. Three-fifths of the participating general practitioners (135 of a total of 222) prefer to do immunizations at their general surgeries during one week in any given month and to decide themselves how many patients should be invited to attend a particular surgery. To meet their wishes, the prepaid addressed appointment cards are sent to them so that they (or their staff) can fill in the dates and times when they wish their patients to attend. The first clinic arranged by the computer