Hundreds of patients will have to rearrange appointments at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital after a new booking system was launched.

Hospital bosses are now writing to around 2,000 patients affected by the changes.

The new booking system was launched in the rheumatology department yesterday and bosses say it will mean fewer appointments are missed or cancelled.

The changes come after a review found that many patients are being notified of future appointments many months, or even years in advance.

As a result, appointments often end up being changed by the hospital because it is difficult to plan so far in advance.

Planning appointments in that way also means patients are more likely to forget and not show up, bosses say.

Under the new system, rheumatology outpatients who need an appointment will receive a letter confirming the appointment date and time around five to six weeks in advance.

It has been officially launched following a trial and bosses hope it will gradually be rolled out across other departments.

Tim Powell, divisional manager of medicine, said: “We will be writing to those patients affected to let them know what is happening and why their appointments need to be rearranged.”

He added: “This new system will be much more efficient because it will help to reduce the number of appointments the hospital has to move and also reduce the number of people who do not show up for their appointments.

“This will not only help to improve the patient experience, but will also make outpatient booking systems more efficient and manageable.”

All other hospital appointments will remain as previously arranged for now.

A dedicated helpline has been set up for patients to ring if they have any queries on 01902 695368.