Your Outpatient Visit

What to bring with you to your appointment.

• Your appointment card or appointment letter
• Proof of exemption from payment of prescriptions, where applicable
• Your personal details, such as full address, postcode, contact telephone numbers and dates of any holidays you have booked
• Any other specific requirements detailed on your appointment letter
• A list of medicines or tablets you are taking
• A list of any questions you may have for the doctor
• If you are diabetic, it may be wise to bring a snack with you

On arrival at the hospital

Main Outpatients is still located in the North hospital however some changes have been made and extra safety measures have been introduced to keep patients and staff as safe as possible. 

Access to the Main Outpatient Department is now via a new entrance which is located off the North carpark, where there will be a pick up and drop off area. 

The new entrance has a one way system in place with a separate exit to ensure social distancing measures can be maintained. 

Hand washing facilities and hand sanitiser is available on arrival and in all waiting areas. 

Screens are in place at the Reception desk to give added protection and the area will undergo enhanced cleaning. 

When you get to the outpatient department please report to the receptionist, they will book you in, please tell the receptionist if your details have changed.

How long will I spend at the hospital, and who will I see?

You will have been referred to see a particular consultant or health care professional who is specialist in their field. You may see the consultant in person or one of their team. There may also be learners present at you appointment, including junior doctors, and medical and nursing students. Attending clinics is an important part of their training, however, if you would rather they were not present, please tell the nurse in your clinic.

Allow time for your visit
All clinics run at different rates depending on the needs of the patient. We do all we can to run to time, but occasionally clinics do run late. The receptionist and nurses will keep you informed but do allow plenty of time for your visit.

Privacy and Dignity.
The doctor or healthcare professional caring for you may need to examine you during your appointment, a chaperone will be present during the examination.

Diagnostic tests.
Where possible any diagnostic tests such as x-rays you require will be carried out during your appointment. If this is not possible the doctor will request the test and the relevant department will arrange an appointment for you. It is important that you attend the appointment for any tests as not attending can delay your treatment.

Refreshments
There is a shop and café run by the League of Friends in the main entrance of the hospital where food and drink can be purchased. The Full Circle Restaurant is on Level B and open for snacks and hot meals during the day.

Before you leave your appointment.
Make sure you know

• What might be wrong
• Whether you need any tests
• What treatment is best for you
• What happens next,

Please report back to the receptionist before you leave if you need a follow up appointment.

Prescriptions
If you have been given a prescription you will need to go to the hospital pharmacy to have the prescription filled, you cannot get them filled at chemists in the community. If the doctor has changed your prescription or wants you to have a new drug but it is not urgent, we will write to your GP and tell them. Please contact the surgery a few days after your outpatient appointment to get a prescription for the new drug.

Current prescription charges apply to all medicines.