At East Kent Hospitals we aim to do everything we can to make your outpatient visit as easy as possible.
When your referrer tells us that they would like you to have an outpatient appointment with a hospital doctor we will arrange an appointment. We will endeavour to arrange this appointment with you over the phone to ensure that the date and time of the appointment are convenient for you. However, it is important to remember that we have hospitals across East Kent and some appointments are only held at a particular hospital and you may have to travel to that site. Once your appointment is booked you will be advised of the day, time, hospital and clinic location and any special instructions that are necessary for you to prepare for your appointment.
Appointment Reminders
In advance of your outpatient appointment you will be contacted either via a text message to your mobile phone or a voice message to your home phone to remind you of your appointment. These messages are interactive so you can confirm that you will be attending your appointment or if you can no longer make it let us know so we can use this appointment for another patient. It’s important to remember that should you fail to attend an appointment or change or cancel more than once we may not be able to offer you a further appointment. More information regarding this service is available.
Letters reminding you of your outpatient appointment will be phased out during 2012.
Choose and Book
Your GP can arrange your appointment using the Choose and Book service. Your GP will provide you with a Unique Booking Reference Number (UBRN) and password so you can arrange your appointment yourself either by telephone (0345 6088888) or online at www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk
What to do if you need to change your appointment
If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please contact the number on your appointment letter as soon as possible so your appointment can be allocated to another patient.
All patients will be re-appointed in line with the Trust’s Patient Access Policy.
Most appointments can be changed or cancelled by calling the Outpatients Appointments Department on 01227 868686, Monday to Friday, 08.00 to 18.00, however please refer to your appointment letter for contact details.
If your appointment was booked via Choose and Book then you must contact Choose and Book to rearrange it either via their websiteor call 0345 6088888.
