Before your appointment
Changing or cancelling your appointment
If you need to change or cancel your appointment for any reason please ring the department number in your appointment letter as soon as possible.
Non-attendance
If you miss your appointment and don’t tell us, you may need to go back to your GP.
You should allow at least two to three hours for your appointment; longer if you are also coming for tests.
Planning to get here
Please make sure you know where your appointment is taking place. Look at your appointment letter carefully.
We recommend you use public transport to get here if possible as car parking on the site is limited and it may take time to find a space.
Hospital transport
We would expect patients to make their own way to and from the hospital. However, if you have a medical condition that may make you eligible for hospital transport you should call 0843 241888.
The operators will ask number of questions to see if you are eligible for patient transport in line with the Department of Health criteria and, if so, the journey will be booked for you.
If you are not eligible, you will be advised of some alternatives to assist with your travel to your appointments. The same procedure will also apply if you have any follow up appointments.
Please note you will only be allowed one bag when travelling in an ambulance.
What to bring with you
- Your appointment letter
- Any medicines you are taking (prescribed, over-the-counter or herbal)
- A list of questions to ask
- Your NHS number
- Your mobile number and contact details
- Your GP’s name, address and phone number
- Any specimen(s) you were asked to bring
- Any mobility or hearing aids, and spectacles
Do you need an interpreter?
Telephone interpreters are available if you speak little or no English. If you need a face-to-face interpreter please let us know at least seven days in advance by phoning the number on your appointment letter.
PALS – if you have any concerns
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service is a patient-friendly, easy to access service designed to provide a personal contact point to assist patients, relatives and carers. If you have a problem that you have not been able to sort out PALS can help you to resolve it.