Manage your appointment

Change from print to digital

We're encouraging patients who have viewed letters online in the last six months to change their letter preference from print to digital.

How will this happen?

For patients' convenience, we will automatically be changing their letters preference from print to digital for those who have viewed letters online in the last six months.

Why are we making the change

Printing and sending letters by post costs the NHS over £0.73p each and has become increasingly expensive. This change could save us over £20,000 per year.

Move to digital

By choosing to receive letters digitally, we'll be able to improve efficiency and ensure you receive your information as quickly and securely as possible.

Opting out of digital letters

You can change your letter preference by going to the DrDoctor portal and selecting “Settings”. Patients who have opted out of digital communications will continue to receive physical letters for appointments booked 10-5 days in advance.

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How to manage your appointment

Cancelling a new or first appointment

Cancelling a follow-up appointment

eReferrals

How to check which hospital your appointment is at

Accessing your digital patient portal

Confirming or rebooking your appointment

Accessing appointment details through the NHS app

Cancelling a new/first appointment

If you need to cancel a new booked appointment please contact the appropriate department:

Gynaecology: 01895 238282 (ext 2385)	Tues, Wed or Thurs 8.30am-5pm Mon-Thurs 8.30am-4.30pm Fridays - please call before 12 noon
Elderly Care: 01895 279297	Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm
Admissions: 01895 279301	Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4.30pm
Maternity: 01895 279442	Mon-Fri, 8am-4.30pm

For other specialities, contact the Booking Centre (tel: 01895 279200 or email: thh.appointments@nhs.net), open from 8am-5pm, Mon-Fri).

Cancelling your follow-up appointment

If you need to cancel a follow-up appointment please refer to your letter or text message for the contact telephone number, or request the change through the DrDoctor portal.

eReferrals

If you have booked an appointment via the NHS eReferral Service, please contact The Appointment Line (TAL) on 0345 60 88888 or visit the NHS eReferral Service (eRs) website ebs.ncrs.nhs.uk

Check which hospital

The appointment letter advises you if your appointment is at Hillingdon Hospital or Mount Vernon Hospital or one of the community locations, along with the appointment date and time, and the clinician's name or clinic name, you are with.

Accessing your digital healthcare patient portal

You can now view your letters online using a computer, tablet, or mobile phone via DrDoctor, a digital engagement platform for video consultations and appointment reminders. Once your appointment has been booked, you will receive a text message from 07860 039092 to let you know that you have a new appointment letter. This text message will also include a web link, starting with: drdoctor.thirdparty.nhs.uk/, which you can use to login to the DrDoctor portal.

To log-in, you just need:

• your last name
• your date of birth
• your post code

For appointments created more than 10 days in advance, patients will receive digital letters. Our online letters mean that you'll receive your letter more quickly and reliably. You also won't need to worry about losing it - it'll be there in your online portal whenever you need it.

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Confirming or rebooking your appointment

Shortly before your appointment, we'll send you a reminder by text message. It is important you let us know as soon as possible if you are not able to attend. If you are requesting rebooking or cancellation at short notice, please phone us using the telephone number on your clinic letter or message to ensure we have time to offer the appointment to another patient.

Remember - if you cancel an appointment rather than rebooking it, you may be discharged from the service.

Accessing appointment details through the NHS app

If you are registered and set up on the NHS app, you can see details of your upcoming outpatient appointments by selecting 'Referrals, hospital and other appointments'. If notifications are enabled you will be informed of messages from  us through the NHS App. Inpatient and Day case appointment information will not be available to view via the NHS App.

The first time you use the NHS App to view messages sent by DrDoctor you will be asked to agree to share your NHS login information with DrDoctor. Once this has been completed you will not be asked to do this again and will seamlessly be able to view appointment information on the NHS App.