The Royal United Hospitals Bath Foundation Trust (RUH) is backing a call for patients not to miss important appointments.

The RUH Trust has made a short film to encourage patients to attend their appointment and to reassure them that measures are in place to keep people safe.

There has been a ‘worrying trend’ of patients avoiding important face-to-face hospital appointments according to the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which could lead to serious implications on peoples’ long-term health.

Clinicians said that, for some specific areas, the number of missed appointments has risen by around 50 per cent with possible exposure to coronavirus being a major reason.

The video takes viewers from the hospital’s front door to the outpatient department, explaining how patients and visitors are advised to wear face masks while in the hospital, how to follow hygiene tips and how to maintain social distancing in corridors and waiting areas.

The message to patients is – outpatient services at the RUH may look a bit different, but the care and service are just the same.

The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j-wiJLFU54&feature=youtu.be