Confused - hospital appointment?

I don't know if this is a silly question, but...

I just received an Outpatient Appointment Notification from the local general hospital at the Team Midwife Clinic. I'm assuming that my doctor probably referred me to this. I have no idea though as my GP doesn't seem to have very good communication skills! :doh: I did mention to her that I wanted to go through the birth centre, but she said something about organising that through the hospital???

Anyway, in the mean time I have contacted the birth centre/independent midwives who are happy to do my antenatal care and for me to use the birth centre. They said not to contact them again until I'm almost 16 weeks, as they don't start check ups until then.

So, what I'm confused about is whether I still have to go to this outpatient appointment if I'm not planning on using the hospital? I have no idea how this all works, and last time I just went through the general hospital all the way.

What gestation is the appointment for? If it is around 12 weeks it may be a general booking appointment. In your position I would call the hospital to confirm though as they all have different procedures.

Thanks Traveller, yes it would be right around the 12 week mark. You may be right with it being a general booking appointment - after I posted I found another slip with the letter that said "This appointment is an administrative appointment with the midwife. Your private medical and obstetric history will be discussed..."
I suppose going to the appointment doesn't lock me in to going through the hospital anyway does it?