Calling About a Missed Appointment

Missing a scheduled appointment without providing notification is considered rude. If you inadvertently miss an appointment with a service provider or someone you’ve arranged to meet with, you should call to apologize and offer an explanation.

If you miss an appointment with a healthcare provider, you may have to pay for the missed appointment. Many healthcare providers require 24 hours’ notice to cancel an appointment.

Task 1:

Listen to the following telephone conversation in which a patient is apologizing for missing an appointment. As you listen, fill in the blanks.

Hospital: Good morning. Princess Margaret Lung Scan Study.

Patient: Oh, hello. I had an appointment for a lung scan on Monday and I’m terribly sorry but I missed the appointment. I apologize. I just didn’t notice it on my calendar.

Hospital: Okay. May I have your name, please?


Patient: Yes, it’s Vivian Bryce – that’s B-R-Y-C-E. My appointment was for 9:45 a.m. on Monday the 12th. I was wonderful if I could possibly reschedule?

Hospital: Let’s see. How about the Wednesday the 21st at 9:15 a.m.?

Patient: No, I’m not available on the 21st. Do you have anything on Friday the 23rd?

Hospital: 
Yes, how about 10:30 a.m.?

Patient: Perfect. So that Friday the 23rd at 10:30 a.m. Bye.

Hospital: Bye.

Task 2:

Complete the table below with the expressions used to apologize and the explanation used in the above telephone dialogue.

Apology	Explanation
I am terribly sorry but I missed the appointment. I apologize.	I just didn't notice it on my calendar.