Receiving, changing and attending your appointment
The process for managing appointments can vary from service to service, so please read any information you receive carefully.
Receiving your appointment
The process for managing appointments can vary from service to service, so please read any information you receive carefully.
Generally, if your referral from your GP or other health care provider is accepted, we will send you a letter to let you know. This will provide a general indication of when you might expect to receive an appointment, based on the urgency of the referral. In some circumstances, you may be advised about alternative options that could be available.
Following this, closer to the time, we will write to you again to offer you an appointment with the service. Some services will remind you by text message as well.
You may be asked to complete other tasks before attending the appointment, such as having blood tests, x-rays or collecting other information. Doing this will ensure the consultant is able to provide the best advice and treatment for you.
How do I check that my referral has been received?
We aim to let you know when your referral has been received, and the next steps in a timely manner. However, if you haven't heard from us and need to check the status of your referral, please phone the department concerned, ie, Ophthalmology for the Eye Clinic. They will be able to advise you on whether the referral has been received, what stage it is at and what the next steps are. If you do not know what department you have been referred to, please contact the Patient Affairs and Enquiries office or contact your GP.
What happens if the appointment time I receive does not suit me?
We understand that not all appointments are scheduled at times that are possible for you to attend.
If you are wanting to reschedule your appointment, it is important that you contact the department concerned directly. The details will be on your appointment letter. We request you do this as soon as possible to so we have the best chance to offer your appointment spot to someone else and provide you with a new appointment time.
Patients who repeatedly miss their scheduled appointments without letting us know may be removed from the waiting lists, and will need to be re-referred by their GP if they still require the specialist service.