What do I need to bring to my appointment?
Please bring anything requested in your appointment letter with you. This may be things like glasses or medication.
Will my GP be informed about the details of my appointment?
Yes. After your clinic appointment, your clinician will write to your GP to keep them informed. If you wish to receive a copy of this letter, please let your clinician know.
What if I cannot make the date of my appointment?
Should you need to change or cancel your appointment, it is very important that you contact the office telephone number detailed in your appointment letter to obtain another appointment arrangement.
Please give the hospital as much notice as possible for any changes as this helps to prevent valuable appointment slots that can be offered to other patients being wasted.
You can change your appointment online.
Repeated appointment cancellations
Repeatedly cancelling appointments may result in you being discharged back to your GP. However, if you are unable to attend, please contact us to rearrange as soon as possible. Telephone numbers for the different appointment teams are listed on the clinic contact details page, or fill out a form online to request a call back.
What if I am unwell on the day of my appointment?
Please do not attend your appointment if you have any symptoms of sickness and/or diarrhoea. A common stomach bug which causes these symptoms is called Norovirus, sometime known as the winter vomiting illness. It is highly infectious and can spread quickly in hospitals, putting patients at risk. You need to be free from symptoms for at least 48 hours before attending your appointment. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly at all times – particularly after using the toilet and before eating. If you are still ill after a few days contact your own GP or NHS 111.
If you need to cancel your appointment due to this illness or any other illness you may think would affect your appointment, inform the appointment office by telephoning the contact number on your appointment letter so that another appointment can be organised for you.
Can I get a reminder about my appointment?
Yes! We have a free appointment reminder service, which allows our patients to receive either an automated voice call on their home phone or receive a text message on their mobile phone.
This service reminds our patients about their appointment a few days before they are due to attend hospital.
These services will allow you to confirm, cancel or re-arrange your appointment. If you need to cancel or re-arrange your appointment, we will offer the appointment to other patients on the waiting list – this means that we can see you at the earliest opportunity and prevent longer waiting lists.
What is an automated voice message reminder?
An automated voice message is a recorded message sent to your landline phone to remind you of your appointment. These calls will allow you to confirm, cancel or re-arrange the appointment. The phone calls will come from 01642 690080.
What is a text message reminder?
This is a short message sent to a mobile phone with just enough information to remind you about your appointment. Text messages will come from 07811 052317.
If I don’t receive a message, does that mean my appointment is cancelled?
No. It is not suitable for all clinics and specialties to send appointment reminders in this way, and you will still get a first appointment letter as normal. You may want to check with the department reception desk at your next outpatient appointment.
What if I do not wish to receive reminders?
If you do not wish to receive these messages you just need to give us a call and we can ‘opt’ you out of this service.
How is this service being provided?
We’re working with a company called ERS Connect, who have already provided this service to over 40 other NHS trusts in England for over 12 years.
Is my personal information safe?
All information is handled according to strict information security protocols. The company we’re working with, ERS Connect, has been audited for Advanced NHS Business Partner status, which means all the training processes and policies which are necessary to handle patient information on a routine basis are in place and audited at regular intervals. Text messages will contain the minimum information necessary to remind you of your appointment and no personal identifiable data is ever contained.
What happens if I am given a prescription during my appointment?
All outpatient prescriptions issued by the hospital and dispensed at the hospital pharmacies are subject to prescription charges unless the patient holds a valid medical exception certificate, they fulfil the criteria for exemption from charges or they hold a valid pre-payment certificate.
Payment can be made by cash/cheque at the pharmacies or by debit or credit card at the cashiers at the north entrance. Free to use ATM machines are also available in the hospital.
The on-site pharmacy to open to the public at the following times:
- Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm
- Saturday and Sunday 10am to 8pm
Patients may also choose to use another pharmacy of their choosing.
My appointment letter doesn’t state who I am seeing, does that mean I won’t be seeing my usual clinician?
We’re in the process of changing the information in the majority of our appointment letters. This means that now your appointment letter will not include the name of the clinician you are seeing, just the name of the specialty or clinic you are visiting. This does not mean you will see a different clinician to who you usually see.