Before your appointment
You will either receive a text message so you can access all of you appointment information through our secure online portal, or you will receive a letter in the post.
All of the information about your appointment will be contained in the details in the portal when you log in or in your letter.
Digital letters and information can be accessed through our patient portal.
You can download the NHS APP and access information about your hospital appointments – you can find out more here: NHS APP – United Lincolnshire Hospitals (ulh.nhs.uk)
When you receive your appointment please check the date and time and let us know as soon as possible if this date is not suitable.
The information you receive will detail the type of appointment: in-person, telephone consultation or video consultation. Please be sure that you are prepared for the type of appointment you are having and follow any preparation advice that has been shared. Your information will tell you which consultant or specialist clinic your appointment is with.
Your appointment may be with the consultant in charge of that clinic or a member of their team, which includes specialist nurses and trainee doctors.
All patients need to attend their outpatient appointments, no matter what format they take. Failure to attend an appointment and to not properly inform the hospital, may result in a Did Not Attend (DNA) notification being added to your information.
If you are unable to attend you need to contact the hospital using the phone number on your appointment information or if you have access by using the online patient portal. By getting in touch with the hospital as soon as possible we can offer you a new appointment and can offer your existing appointment to another patient. This helps us to ensure everyone can be treated fairly.
As well as accessing your information online, you can get in touch with the Patient Services Hub
Text messages about appointment availability
We are introducing a new text message service to help offer patients outpatient appointments when slots become available.
If you are waiting for an appointment, you may receive a message like the example below asking if you are available to attend at short notice. Simply reply YES if you would like to be considered.
- This is a genuine message from our teams
- It helps us fill appointments more quickly
- It may help you to be seen sooner
Please note: replying does not guarantee an appointment, but it lets us know you’re available. An example message is shown. The message always comes from that number.
Example:
Several appointment slots have become available with the XXXX department at United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals on [date] between [time] at [hospital name]. If you are available for an appointment between these times and would like to be considered, please reply YES. Please note this does not guarantee you a booking.
Appointments text message reminders:
You may receive a text message reminder 48 hours before your booked appointment. Below is an example of the reminder.
Text message reminders example:
Reminder of your ULHT gynaecology appointment on 23 Mar at 14:00. As this may be virtual or in person please refer to your letter or phone call for details.
Other information
Waiting Well website – Helpful information for patients awaiting clinical opinion, treatment, or surgery.