Patients and visitors

Appointments

University Hospitals of North Midlands is working incredibly hard to make sure that patients who have been waiting the longest for care and treatment are seen as soon as possible.

We are aware some people may no longer require a hospital appointment because they no longer have symptoms or because they have chosen to be seen by an alternative healthcare provider. Patients may also choose to defer their treatment or need very highly specialised treatment which may mean they need to wait a little longer.

In England, NHS patients have the right to request to move to a different hospital to receive their care/treatment if they have been waiting longer than 18 weeks. We are initially contacting all patients who have been waiting over 40 weeks and inviting them to be considered to move hospital to receive earlier care/treatment. If you are eligible, you will receive a SMS and/or letter with the option to opt in.

Many patients may be deemed clinically appropriate to move provider. However, not in all circumstances will we be able to identify alternative capacity to facilitate a move.

If you receive this message please reply promptly so we can arrange your appointment.

If you have any concerns please contact the appointments team on 01782 676676.

The Appointment Centre is open Monday - Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm and Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm.

Telephone: 01782 676676

Clinics are open from approximately 8:30am - 5:30pm every weekday, with appointment slots available from approximately 9:00am - 4:00pm.

You can alter an appointment once. Further delays in attending for an outpatient appointment ​may be​ rejected and result in your referral being returned to your GP.

​If you cannot attend your appointment at Royal Stoke or County Hospitals please inform the hospital by telephoning 01782 676676 or email uhnm.appointments@nhs.net. This will enable us to offer this appointment to someone else. Missed appointments cost the NHS £160.

We are currently reviewing the patients on our waiting lists to ensure we can provide timely and orderly access to care and treatment. 

As part of this review some patients may receive a text message from UHNM asking them to complete a short questionnaire regarding their appointment. If you receive this message please reply promptly so we can arrange your appointment. We thank you for your patience and co-operation.

If you cannot attend please tell us by telephoning 01782 676676. Alternatively, you can also email uhnm.appointments@nhs.net with your details.

My Planned Care gives patients advice and support while they wait for their appointment and to help prepare for a hospital consultation, treatment or surgery. This includes giving you information about waiting times at your hospital and how long you might expect to wait for an appointment to come through. It also provides other supporting information and details about local services while you wait.

UHNM will be in touch as soon as possible about your referral but please check this website https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/ before contacting us or GP direct about when you appointment might be.