Attending an appointment

We do our best to make going for your appointment as easy and comfortable as possible.

Please remember to:

• read your appointment letter carefully and check for any specific instructions, e.g. bringing your medication with you
• arrive on time to avoid delays (view our locations and plan your journey)
• speak to our Patient Experience Team if you need an interpreter or signer that hasn’t already been arranged
• have details of your medical history available if this is your first appointment
• call the department if you have any diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the three days before your appointment

The hospital staff will already have details about your condition, but please bring the following with you on the day to help our staff help you:

• Your appointment letter/card
• Your GP’s address and telephone number
• Details of any medicines or tablets you are taking including herbal and homeopathic preparations
• Proof that you do not have to pay prescription charges, if applicable
• Any specimens or information requested in your appointment letter

A family member, friend, or carer is welcome attend your appointment with you.

If you have any additional communication or access needs, please let the team know ahead of your appointment, so that these can be accommodated where possible.

Please go to the location written on your appointment letter.

The clinic receptionist will book you in and explain what will happen next. They will check your details and ask whether any of your personal details, such as your address, phone number or next of kin, have changed.

Please be aware that you will be seen in order of your appointment time, not in your arrival time. We do our best not to keep you waiting, but sometimes events happen that may mean you have to wait longer than anticipated. We’ll tell you if there is likely to be a delay.

Usually, you will be seen by a consultant (senior doctor) or a member of their medical team. However, you may be seen by another health professional such as a specialist nurse, midwife or therapist.

All our staff wear an identity badge with their name and job title on it, so you know who they are. They should introduce themselves to you at the start of your appointment.

If you are unhappy about any aspect of your care, please talk to the person in charge of the clinic in the first instance, as they will try to sort things out for you there and then.

Most appointments involve a conversation between yourself and the clinician to agree the next step. You may need a blood test or x-ray, or a more detailed examination. Your clinician will explain to you what is needed and why. Sometimes, if you need a minor procedure, the clinician may be able to carry it out right away. If you don’t feel prepared to do this, please tell your clinician and they will arrange a more suitable date and time.

If the clinician prescribes you with a new or different medication they will write to your GP or give you a prescription to take to the pharmacy. If you pay for prescriptions, the standard national fee will be charged. If you receive free prescriptions, you need to bring proof of your exemption with you.

On leaving the outpatient department you must return to the reception desk and hand over any paperwork given to you by the clinician or nursing team. This will ensure your health record is updated and you have the opportunity to choose a date and time for your next appointment.

It is important that you let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend or do not wish to continue with your appointment.

To change or cancel your appointment you can contact the central booking team between 8.30am and 8pm on 01902 481777, or call the phone number at the top of your letter.

There is support available to help you get to your appointment.

Our Trust has a partnership with National Express, which gives patients and visitors 25 per cent off a Day Saver ticket when travelling to our hospital sites.

To access this discounted ticket, download the NXBus mTicket app and create an account. Tickets must be used within 48 hours of purchase.

Find out more at National Express – The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Offer