Appointment countdown

Days to go, when to leave and what to bring. A countdown for GP, hospital, dental, blood test and scan appointments.

Your details

Hospital outpatient appointment

9 days

to go, leave by 09:25 on the day

WhenFri, 30 October 2026 at 10:15
Leave by09:25 (35 min travel, 15 min early)
Reminder a week beforeFri, 23 October 2026
Reminder the day beforeThu, 29 October 2026
To do 1Bring the appointment letter and a list of your medicines
To do 2Check parking or transport (some hospitals offer patient transport)
To do 3Write down questions and take someone with you if that helps

If you cannot make it, cancel as early as you can so someone else can have the slot: most practices and hospitals take cancellations by phone, online or through the NHS App. If you need an interpreter, step free access or someone with you, ask when you confirm.

If you get worse while waiting, do not wait for the appointment: contact your GP, use NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency.

The working

A hospital appointment at 10:15 in 9 days

From 21 October 2026, Friday 30 October is 9 days away. With 35 minutes of travel and 15 minutes to find the clinic, leave by 09:25. Reminders land on 23 October (a week before) and 29 October (the day before).

Get ready by type

Checklists

Appointment	Worth doing
GP	up to 3 things to raise, list of medicines
Hospital	letter, medicines list, transport
Dentist	note pain or bleeding, check charges
Blood test	check if you need to fast, drink water
Scan or X-ray	read preparation, say if you might be pregnant

On the day

Small things help

Write questions down and tick them off
Take someone with you if you would like support
Ask for things to be explained again: that is fine
Note any follow up date before you leave

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

Book or move appointmentsContact your surgery, the hospital or use the NHS App.
Know local parkingCheck the hospital website for parking and transport.
Tell you how to prepareYour letter has the instructions that apply to you.

Questions

Common questions

How early should I arrive for a hospital appointment?

Allow time to park and find the clinic; 10 to 15 minutes is a sensible buffer for most hospitals.

What should I take to a GP appointment?

A list of what you want to talk about, any medicines you take and notes on when symptoms started.

How do I cancel an NHS appointment?

Contact the surgery or hospital as early as you can, by phone, online or through the NHS App, so someone else can use the slot.

Can I bring someone with me?

Usually yes, and it can help. You can also ask for an interpreter if you need one.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

If you get worse while waiting

Do not wait for the appointment if things get worse: contact your GP, use NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency.