Outpatient care
Outpatients are people who do not need prolonged day care or an overnight stay in hospital. Most outpatient appointments are fairly short because the procedures involved are relatively simple and quick.
Outpatient appointments normally take place in the main Outpatient Department. If you are attending a clinic that is held in a different part of the hospital, we will tell you how to get there.
When you arrive
When you arrive, please report to the outpatient reception desk. After registering, you can take a seat in the waiting area. Before you see the doctor, you might need to have blood tests or X-rays. If so, we will let you know where to go.
Waiting times
We try to make sure that patients are seen by a doctor at the time of their appointment, or at least within 30 minutes of that time.
Sometimes emergencies can mean that patients are seen out of turn and delays occur. If this happens, our staff will keep you informed about what’s happening and how long you might have to wait. If you feel you have been kept waiting without an explanation, please ask a member of staff.
We continually monitor our waiting times. You can see details of our performance in cutting down waiting times in the outpatient waiting areas.
Your medical consultation
Before you see the doctor, a nurse may weigh you. Please tell the nurse if you think your weight has changed during recent months. The nurse may also ask you to change into a clean examination gown. If you’re not sure how much clothing to remove, please ask the nurse.
The doctor that you see during your medical consultation will be in charge of your case. You will see him or her, or a member of his or her team, at each appointment. However, you may not see the same doctor at each visit. If you wish to see a particular doctor, please ask a member of staff.
Remembering important information
Your visit to the clinic is a good time to discuss things with your doctor. It can be hard to remember all the questions you want to ask and all the information the doctor gives you, but there are some things you can do to make it easier for yourself.
- Write down and prioritise the questions you want to ask and make a note of the answers.
- Consider bringing a relative or friend to help you remember the conversation later.
- Request written information where it is available and repeat back what you think you’ve heard to check that the information is correct.
- If you haven’t understood what has been said, please don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or clinic nurse again.
After your examination
After your examination, the doctor or clinic nurse will always be willing to answer any questions. Please ask if you haven’t understood what has been said.