A patient thinks missing one appointment means the clinic will not see them again. Find out what happened and what worries them, then agree the next step.
Original practice material written by OETify.
Alex Rowan and the clinic rules are invented. The role-play practises communication, not clinical management.
By the OETify editorial team.
Candidate card: community clinic
Profession: Nursing. Setting: community clinic telephone follow-up.
You are speaking to Alex Rowan, aged 52, who missed a routine wound review yesterday. Alex sounds embarrassed and says another appointment may be pointless. The clinic has asked you to discuss the missed visit and arrange follow-up.
Use these fictional service details when explaining the options:
- A missed appointment does not end access to this clinic.
- Reception can offer a later appointment or ask the transport support team about available help.
- You can ask reception to contact Alex today to agree the next visit.
- Alex’s consent is needed before passing a request to the transport support team.
Your tasks:
- Establish what prevented attendance yesterday.
- Explore why Alex thinks another appointment would be pointless.
- Acknowledge the concern and explain the clinic’s appointment options.
- Ask which option would work and check permission for any transport request.
- Agree who will contact Alex and check that Alex understands the next step.
Attempt the conversation
OET Speaking includes 2 role-plays, with 3 minutes preparation and 5 minutes per role-play. This exercise has 1 card. You need a partner to play Alex.
- Prepare: take 3 minutes to read the candidate card above and plan your questions.
- Your partner reads the partner card below privately, then closes it. Do not read it yourself.
- Speak: hold the conversation aloud for up to 5 minutes. Your partner starts.
- Write notes: record what you said and where you needed help, then open the discussion points.
The discussion points are the same for everyone. They cannot check what you said or score your speech.
Partner card (partner only)
Candidate: leave this card closed. Partner: read it privately, then close it before you begin. Share Alex’s details only when the nurse asks during the conversation.
Partner only: open Alex's role card
You are Alex Rowan, aged 52. You missed yesterday's wound review because your lift was cancelled shortly before the appointment.
You tried calling reception but could not reach anyone. You now worry that staff will refuse another booking because you missed the visit.
You prefer a later appointment. You agree to a transport support enquiry if the nurse explains it and asks your permission.
Begin with: “There seems little point booking again after yesterday.” Sound embarrassed, not angry.
- When asked what prevented attendance, explain that your lift was cancelled.
- If the nurse asks what you did next, describe the unsuccessful call to reception.
- When asked about your worry, explain your fear that the clinic will refuse another booking.
- If the nurse reassures you about clinic access, ask whether a new appointment time is certain.
- When offered appointment options, say that a later appointment would work better.
- If asked about transport support, agree after hearing what information the nurse would pass on.
- When asked to explain the next step, repeat what the nurse actually agreed. Ask for clarification if the contact or timing is unclear.
If the nurse overlooks a concern, mention it briefly as Alex. Use only these facts; leave the advice and explanations to the nurse.
Want feedback on your speaking? In the OETify app you practise live role-plays with an AI patient and get feedback from a transcript of your conversation. Start with a free baseline.