Changes to how we book follow up outpatient appointments
From 1 September 2024, we began making changes to how we manage our follow-up appointment process.
Following your next appointment with us, we will no longer book your follow up appointment with you before you leave clinic. Instead, we will contact you with details of your next appointment close to the date you are due in, usually four to six weeks ahead of time. This may vary depending on your healthcare needs.
We’ve outlined the changes below and what that means for you. We will be contacting you directly with any changes to upcoming follow-up appointments. If you don’t hear from us, please attend your next appointment as planned.
If you have any further questions, please do contact us using the contact information provided.
Please read the information provided in the frequently asked questions drop down below. This includes information on any concerns you may have, and details on contacting us if you are concerned about your eye health in between appointments.
We want to improve your experience as a patient at Moorfields by making the process of booking your next outpatient appointment more efficient. The new process will reduce the number of cancellations made, which will further increase the efficiency of our clinics, ensuring patients are seen when they need to be.
Instead of providing you with a date for your next appointment when you are next in clinic, you will be placed on a managed list for your specific condition and your appointment will be booked on a date determined by the clinician who is managing your care.
This means you will receive your appointment date closer to the time you are due to be seen. For example, if you are scheduled to see us for a follow-up in six months’ time, we’d contact you with your appointment details approximately 6 weeks ahead of the date you are due in.
Those patients who need to be seen sooner, or reviewed more regularly, will still be provided with an appointment time before they leave clinic.
The new process will happen automatically, so you are not required to take any action, unless you need to tell us of a change in your contact details. If you need to update your contact details or communication preferences, please email moorfields.outpatientbookingsbc@nhs.net if you are a patient at City Road.
For patients at other Moorfields sites, please contact your clinic using the contact details you will have received in previous communications from us.
If you are unable to attend the date provided, you will be able to contact us to arrange a date that is more suitable for you. There will be a contact phone number and email address on your appointment letter.
If you feel that your condition does not require emergency attention, but you need to be seen before your next scheduled appointment, please contact us as soon as possible using the information provided on your previous letter from us.
The clinician in charge of your care will, if required, arrange for you to be seen sooner, or they may give you advice on how to manage your condition in the time between your appointments, for example.
If you have serious concerns about your eye health, or if you experience sudden sight loss, it’s important that you let us know straight away. To do this, you can use our A&E service at City Road or log on to our online A&E platform, where you will be able to speak to a doctor.
If you do not live close to London, or cannot access our online A&E service, please go straight to your nearest eye care unit.
Please continue to follow the healthcare advice given to you by your team between appointments. If you are required to administer eye drops to keep your condition stable, please do so. If you need any further support, you can speak to one of our nurses via the nurse-led helpline on 0207 566 2345.
If you experience sudden sight loss, or eye injury, please attend your nearest eye care unit or log on to our online A&E service.
If you have any questions about your appointment, please contact the information on the appointment letter or text message provided. If you have any concerns or complaints about your care, you can contact our Patient Advice and Liaison (PALs) team by calling the team on 020 7566 2324, or by emailing them at moorfields.pals@nhs.net
If your clinical team assess your condition as stable enough, they may offer you the chance to make your follow-ups with us when you feel you need them, rather than requiring you to attend a routine appointment. If you are interested in taking advantage of this, visit our patient initiated follow up page to learn more.