Hospital appointments (outpatients)

• Check your appointment letter for details of whether it's face-to-face, over the phone or via video and if any preparation is required.
• If your appointment is face to face, check the appointment letter for where you need to go. Outpatient appointments are available at all of our hospital sites, so check which one you need to go to.
• Be aware that appointments may be in different areas, not necessarily the main outpatient department of the hospital (e.g. Children’s outpatients or different departments or buildings). Please check your letter carefully for details.
• You will receive a text message to remind you, five days before and two days before your appointment.
• If you need to cancel or reschedule, please do so as early as possible, ideally more than 3 days in advance.

• If you don’t attend your appointment without letting us know, or repeatedly cancel your appointment without notice, you may be discharged back to your GP.
• Make a note of all medication you are currently taking to bring with you.
• If you require any support with communication, such as British Sign Language or an interpreter to translate, please let us know in advance so we can arrange. 

Face-to-face appointments

• Allow plenty of time for travel and parking. You can find details about travelling to and parking at our sites on the specific hospital's page.

• Please allow at least two hours for your appointment, as additional tests may be needed.
• Arriving earlier than your appointment time does not guarantee you will be seen earlier appointment. 
• Delays may occur, but you will be kept informed if this is the case.
• Reception staff will ask for you to confirm your address, contact details, GP details when you arrive. Please ensure you have your details to hand to save time.
• If your appointment is delayed and you need to leave before you are seen, please inform a staff member to reschedule for another day.

For telephone appointments

• You’ll speak with a doctor or nurse by phone or video.
• In case of any delay, please allow up to one hour either side of your appointment time.

For video appointments

• A letter with the outcome of your appointment and details about next steps will be available on the patient portal. It will also be posted to you if you haven’t chosen to go paperless.
• If you were expecting a follow-up appointment and haven’t received one, follow up with the hospital department or appointments team.
• If you need to reschedule a test that was required before your next outpatient appointment, please inform the hospital department or appointments team as it may affect the appointment date.