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Before your appointment

If you have an outpatient appointment booked at one of our hospitals, you will receive a letter from us. UHS is moving to digital communications via an online portal called patient hub. You may receive your letter in a digital link, however this a rolling programme so some communication will continue to be by post. Please let us know if you wish to opt out of digital communication.

Your letter will confirm the following:

  • If you are being seen face to face at the hospital, or via telephone or video call.
  • Hospital site
  • Date
  • Time
  • Location and name of the clinic

If you are coming to the hospital for your face-to-face appointment, please take note of which hospital site you are going to.

Please read information on parking, directions, and facilities for the hospital site you are going to if needed.

You can also find detailed maps, access guides and routes on the AccessAble website. When you arrive at the UHS page scroll down to the bottom to select the hospital site you need.

UHS no longer book patient transport. If you require patient transport, please contact South Central Ambulance Service.

Please check the details on your appointment letter carefully and contact us if you are unable to attend. You will be able to view your appointment letter and other correspondence on the My medical record app

My Medical Record

My Medical record is a free and secure online platform where you can access your appointments, letters and results.

This can be a helpful tool for working with the team looking after you to manage your care together, providing you with information, and reducing your need to come into hospital. This is not essential but if you would like to find out more, or want to sign up, you can do this on the My medical record page.

Reminders

If you have provided us with a mobile number, we will text you 14 days before your appointment to remind you about the appointment. We will also text you again with a further reminder 4 days before your appointment.

If you receive either of these reminders and realise there are exceptional circumstances which mean you are no longer able to attend the appointment, please contact the relevant service as soon as possible using the contact details on your original appointment letter.

Every missed appointment costs the NHS £140.

Letting us know in advance if you're unable to attend your appointment means we may be able to offer cancelled appointments to others and avoid wasted slots and longer delays for others.

Failing to attend appointments without letting us know in advance will affect how long you will wait to be treated. If you fail to attend or cancel your appointment for a second time without a very good reason, your doctor may decide to discharge you back to your GPs care if they do not feel there is a need for you to be seen here. You would then need to be referred again by your GP.

Translation and interpretation services

If your first language is not English, interpreters are available.

Information for patients or carers with enhanced care needs

You can find out what additional support is available for you or someone you care for, which may help with preparing and attending an appointment. There is also information for the children’s hospital about additional support for children.

We want to offer patients, and carers for patients, with enhanced care needs the best possible experience and would appreciate your views to help us to do this. Find out more about the patients with enhanced care survey and complete the survey to let us know what you think

Chaperones

You can request a chaperone to accompany you to any procedures, tests or examinations. If you'd like to request a chaperone, please ask your doctor or midwife. You can also request a chaperone in advance when booking your appointment or at pre-assessment.