"An appointment without any notice in Preston"

I was recently referred to the neurology department at Royal Preston Hospital. I was informed (by letter local post) of the referral by the referring endocrine consultant.

My appointment is tomorrow and at today's date i still haven't had a letter from LTHTR informing me of an appointment.

So how do i know about the appointment? I was extremely anxious about the referral so i rang the appointments line 0845 122 0020 (option 4) when i hadn't been given a date and time for an appointment.

They informed me of the time and appointment. i made a note of this and awaited further instructions in the appointment letter. It didn't arrive. I phoned the appointment line again (option 5 this time) asking why i hadn't had a letter, i was told that the letters go somewhere down south to be posted out! (Why?)

I expressed my concerns about the lack of information e.g. where do i report to when i attend my appointment? do i need to bring anything with me? etc.

The lady i spoke to was extremely helpful and she sent me a handwritten appointment card with instructions, i received this card within 24 hours of speaking to her.

The original appointment letter......well who knows where that is, but maybe this would explain a portion of patients who do not turn up for appointments. They haven't received their letters. I personally would have been horrified to think i had been given an appointment for something so important and then due to some admin/posting error had missed it.

So if you have been told by your gp or consultant you have been referred to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and you haven't heard from them regarding your appointment date i'd advise you to ring 0845 155 0020 and check.