Within outpatients, we aim to see everyone within 30 minutes of their appointment time. However, from time to time there may be unforeseen delays, for example when there are medical emergencies. We will endeavour to minimise any waiting time and will keep you notified of any delays.

Outpatients services offer new patient appointments:

• Specialist opinion
• Diagnosis
• Examination
• Initiate investigations
• Review patients post admission.

Initial follow-up:

• Discuss investigation results
• Perform a procedure
• Promote healthy lifestyle choices
• Safety net to support patients manage their conditions.

Regular follow-ups:

• Monitor treatment
• Detect deterioration
• Prevent admission
• Maintain patient access to our services.

Changing or cancelling an appointment

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please call the number on your letter and let us know in advance so that we can allocate you a new appointment and offer your slot to another patient.

You can also cancel your appointment should you need to by emailing appointmentsmph@somersetft.nhs.uk for Musgrove Park Hospital or appointmentsydh@somersetft.nhs.uk for Yeovil Hospital with the following details:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Hospital number (if you know it)
• Address
• Details of the appointment you wish to cancel and why.

If you require a further appointment, please let us know and we will try to arrange this and get in touch with you to arrange a new slot.

Please do not use the appointments email address for any other reason than to cancel an appointment.

e-referrals appointments

If you have been referred to hospital or a clinic through the NHS e-Referral Service, you may be able to book your appointment online.

You’ll need:

• the booking reference number stated on your booking letter
• the password or access code you were given by the person or organisation that referred you (for example, your GP practice)

How to book, change or cancel your e-Referrals appointment online

At times of high demand on our services, there may not be any available appointments for you to book into.  In these cases, please be assured that we will offer you an appointment as soon as we are able to do so.

Please note, that not all our services can offer online booking; for these services we will be in contact to offer you an appointment as soon as we are able to. If you are unsure if the service you have been referred to allows online booking, or if you no longer have your booking reference number or password, please contact the person or organisation that referred you.

Appointment Reminder Service

We provide an appointment reminder service, which will send you an SMS message to remind you seven days prior to your appointment, and then again 3 days prior to your appointment.

If you have been referred to hospital or a clinic through the NHS e-Referral Service, you may be able to book your appointment online.

You’ll need:

• The booking reference number stated on your booking letter
• The password or access code you were given by the person or organisation that referred you (for example, your GP practice)

How to book, change or cancel your e-Referrals appointment online

At times of high demand on our services, there may not be any available appointments for you to book into. In these cases, please be assured that we will offer you an appointment as soon as we are able to do so.

Please note, that not all our services can offer online booking; for these services we will be in contact to offer you an appointment as soon as we are able to. If you are unsure if the service you have been referred to allows online booking, or if you no longer have your booking reference number or password, please contact the person or organisation that referred you.