Although data quality has now improvedconsiderably, monthly comparison of outpatients with availability status codes mustbe undertaken with caution.Althoughthe percentage of patients on the waiting list with availability status codes hasincreased slightly between 30 September 2004 and 31 December 2005, it is important to note that the totalnumber of patients on the waiting list has reduced dramatically in this period -by 29%.Availability Status Codes forfirst out-patient appointments are all patient-driven - patients who declined areasonable offer of an appointment and patients who did not attend for a pre-arrangedappointment and gave no warning of their non-attendance.NHSScotland.