Background: To determine whether the length of time between alcohol-related attendance in the Emergency Department (ED) and follow up appointment with an Alcohol Health Worker (AHW) alters attendance rate at the AHW clinic. Methods: We examined paper and computerized records made by AHWs over a 4-year period, collecting data on the length of time between identification of alcohol misuse and the appointment with the AHW, and whether the appointment was kept. Results: There is an inverse relationship between the length of time between identification of alcohol misuse and AHW appointment and the subsequent likelihood of keeping that appointment. Conclusions: To maximise attendance rates at AHW clinics, the delay between the identification and intervention for alcohol misusing patients must be kept to a minimum, preferably giving an appointment on the same day as the attendance in the ED.