The date and time of your appointment are shown on the enclosed card or letter. Please bring it with you and go to the out-patient clinic/department shown.
If the appointment day or time does not suit you please contact us as soon as possible. You can either telephone the number shown on your appointment card/letter, or write to the Medical Records Officer at the hospital. This allows us to offer you another appointment.
If you feel that you no longer need to attend please contact us as soon as possible. You can either telephone the number shown on your appointment card/letter, or write to the Medical Records Officer at the hospital. This allows us to offer your appointment to another person.
If you cannot attend on the day or you forget to attend please telephone us as soon as possible so we can arrange another appointment for you.
If we have to cancel your appointment we will offer you the next available appointment. We may also offer you an appointment at short notice if one becomes available.
If you don’t attend your appointment without letting us know then you may have to visit your GP to ask them to arrange another appointment.
Information for Outpatients
About Your Appointment
Making the Most of Your Appointment
We would like to make sure that you get the most out of your clinic appointment and that you are able to play an active role in your healthcare and treatment plan.
To help us to do this we have produced a leaflet, Making the Most of Your Appointment, that has some useful tips to help you during your clinic visit that you can print off and bring with you.
To help us to do this we have produced a leaflet, Making the Most of Your Appointment, that has some useful tips to help you during your clinic visit that you can print off and bring with you.
What to bring with you
Please bring:
- Your appointment card or letter
- Any items detailed on your appointment card or letter e.g. urine sample, current medicines, etc.
- Making the Most of your Appointment useful tips leaflet if you wish
What to do when you arrive
Please go to the appointment area shown on your card or letter.
When you arrive at the out-patient department, the receptionist will check your details and direct you to the waiting area. A nurse may then carry out some checks or tests if required, e.g. check your weight and height.
Hospital Staff
You will meet a number of different staff during your out-patient appointment. All staff wear a badge showing their name and job title. However, if you are in any doubt as to a person's identity, please ask to be introduced.
The Consultant directs your medical care, assisted by a team of doctors and other specialists. You will also meet other staff during your visit. These may include Receptionists, Nursing Staff, Radiographers and Laboratory Staff.
Please let us know how you would prefer to be addressed by all staff involved in your care.
Clinical Teaching
NHS Tayside is a recognised centre of undergraduate and post-graduate teaching. On occasions there will be students attached to the clinical team as part of their training. They may ask you if one of the students can participate in your care.
We appreciate your co-operation in helping us train future doctors and health professionals, however please let us know if you would rather not have a student in attendance. We will respect your wishes at all times.
When you arrive at the out-patient department, the receptionist will check your details and direct you to the waiting area. A nurse may then carry out some checks or tests if required, e.g. check your weight and height.
Hospital Staff
You will meet a number of different staff during your out-patient appointment. All staff wear a badge showing their name and job title. However, if you are in any doubt as to a person's identity, please ask to be introduced.
The Consultant directs your medical care, assisted by a team of doctors and other specialists. You will also meet other staff during your visit. These may include Receptionists, Nursing Staff, Radiographers and Laboratory Staff.
Please let us know how you would prefer to be addressed by all staff involved in your care.
Clinical Teaching
NHS Tayside is a recognised centre of undergraduate and post-graduate teaching. On occasions there will be students attached to the clinical team as part of their training. They may ask you if one of the students can participate in your care.
We appreciate your co-operation in helping us train future doctors and health professionals, however please let us know if you would rather not have a student in attendance. We will respect your wishes at all times.
Waiting Times
The appointment system does not stop all waiting. Some consultations take longer than others and this can affect the timing of following appointments. Delays do occur, but when this happens, staff will keep you informed of the reasons for the delay.
If medical staff are called to an emergency or there is a delay in appointment times then we may offer you the opportunity to re-arrange your appointment.
If medical staff are called to an emergency or there is a delay in appointment times then we may offer you the opportunity to re-arrange your appointment.
What happens if I need medication?
The doctor may recommend a medicine for you or a change to the medicines you already take and will send a letter to your GP. It can take up to 7 days for a prescription to be done for you and that prescription can be collected from the GP practice or if your prescriptions are normally sent to your usual community pharmacy collected from there. GP practices have different systems for dealing with prescriptions and if you aren’t sure what happens you should ask your own practice.
If the doctor in the outpatient clinic thinks that you should start taking the medicine sooner than 7 days they will give you a prescription that you can take to your usual community pharmacy.
If you have any questions about your medicines you should ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If the doctor in the outpatient clinic thinks that you should start taking the medicine sooner than 7 days they will give you a prescription that you can take to your usual community pharmacy.
If you have any questions about your medicines you should ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Further Appointments
The doctor may tell you that you need to come back to the out-patient clinic. If so, please make sure that you arrange your next appointment with staff at the reception desk before you leave.
