Royal Free Hospital
The Royal Free Hospital's Outpatient Appointment Advice Line is available for patients needing to change or cancel outpatient appointments, check referral statuses, or book their first outpatient appointment via the NHS e-Referral Service. The line operates Monday to Friday, 08:00-18:00, excluding bank holidays. Common reasons for calling include adjusting appointment times, confirming referral progress, and scheduling initial consultations. Due to high call volumes, especially during peak hours, patients are encouraged to use the online form for non-urgent matters. Calling during off-peak hours may result in shorter wait times.
Updated 15 Dec 2025
Expected outcomes
- Change outpatient appointment
- Cancel outpatient appointment
- Check referral status
- Book first appointment
- Confirm personal information
Call preparation
Assemble everything before you dial. These requirements are verified by our call analysts and updated as organizations change their scripts.
- Patient details
- Appointment reference
- Referral information
- NHS number
- Personal information
- Contact details
Known issues
Callers often experience long wait times due to high call volumes, particularly during peak hours. To mitigate this, patients are advised to use the online form for non-urgent appointment changes or cancellations. This can help avoid delays and ensure quicker service for urgent matters. Additionally, calling during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late afternoons, may lead to faster response times. For certain specialties, direct contact with specific departments may be necessary, so verifying the correct procedure beforehand can save time.
