Attending a clinic

Information for outpatients

Special needs

Staff will be happy to make any necessary arrangements for you if you have a special need or a disability.

You may telephone the clerk named in your appointment letter. When you attend the outpatients department the receptionist, at your request, will attach a sticker to the front of your hospital records and make a note of your disability. This note will be the wording of your choice and will help us to make arrangements for you on future visits to the hospital.

Wheelchairs

If you require a wheelchair whilst visiting the outpatients department, there is a supply just inside the entrance. Please ask for assistance if required. Please return all wheelchairs to the collection point. You may of course bring your own wheelchair or any other equipment. If you are travelling in hospital transport please see leaflet "Getting to the Hospital".

When you see the doctor

Please bring with you any medicines or tablets in their bottles.

The doctor or nurse will be happy to answer any questions about your condition or treatment. They will also write down any answers or instructions for you, if you wish.

Students on clinical placements

Students may be present when you see the doctor as this forms a valuable part of their training. If you don't wish students to be present please tell the receptionist. Your treatment will not be affected in any way.

Health records

If you would like to see your health records during your visit, mention this to the doctor or nurse who will arrange this.

Waiting times in clinic

It may appear that some patients are being called to see a doctor before you, this is because several clinics are in progress.

We endeavour to keep waiting times to a minimum. However some patients' problems are more complex than others and may take more time to deal with.

Patients waiting for their appointment will be kept informed of any delays.

Patient email

Please use the following email address to contact us regarding cancelling or changing your appointment:

outpatient.appointments@ulh.nhs.uk

Please advise us of your full name, date of birth, and address, also your NHS number if known. Please also advise of the appointment date and time that you require changing or cancelling.

We will respond to your mail within 48 hours with a change of appointment, or confirmation that the cancellation has been made if the appointment is no longer required.

We will respond to the email account you send your request from, unless you do not wish this to happen. If this is the case, please give us a daytime telephone number so that we are able to contact you.

Dependents

If you are coming for an appointment and have either dependent children or are a carer please try wherever possible to avoid bringing them or bring someone to accompany them, as we are unable to guarantee that we can provide care for them during your appointment.

If you do need to bring them, please contact us in advance so that arrangements can be made.

Your information and the NHS

During the course of your inpatient care you will be asked for information about yourself. This information may be held within your clinical notes or on computers. As a Trust we will use this information to:

Everyone working within or for this Trust and the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential. When information about you is shared, those receiving information from us about you are also under a legal duty to keep it confidential.

All information held on computers within this Trust is treated in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

If you feel we could improve our services in any way, we would appreciate you telling us. Please speak to the clinic nurse or write to:

Chief Executive
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Trust Headquarters
Lincoln County Hospital
Greetwell Road
Lincoln
Lincs LN2 4AX

(01522) 573977