Guide for outpatients

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic our key priority over the last few months has been to make sure that patients who need urgent care receive it. Many non-urgent appointments and procedures have had to be postponed as a result.

You will be contacted if your appointment or procedure has to be rescheduled or carried out in a different way. If you are invited for an appointment it is important that you attend.

We apologise for any delays and the inconvenience or anxiety they may cause. We are incredibly grateful for your support and understanding during this challenging time.

Important note: if your symptoms get any worse please call your GP or the appropriate hospital team for advice as soon as possible. Contact information can be found on any previous letters you have received from the Trust.

Guide for those attending planned appointments:  
If you have received a letter asking you to attend an appointment at the hospital please CLICK HERE to view our short guide for patients visiting hospital for planned appointments. The guide contains information on what to expect and instructions to help us minimise the risk of infection and ensure your safety.

In this section you will find information on:

• Appointments
• What you need to bring
• Waiting times
• When you arrive
• During your consultation
• Consenting to treatment
• Further help and support

Appointments

Once you have booked an appointment with us you will receive an appointment letter. Please check you know which of our hospitals you are coming to. To find out how to get to the hospital visit our maps and directions section or the section dedicated to the hospital you are visiting.

Cancelling your appointment: If, for any reason, you are not able to keep your appointment, please tell us as soon as possible. Please call the number listed on your appointment letter (all calls are charged at local rate). If you've lost your letter please call 01296 315941.

Reminder: If your mobile number is recorded on your records we may send you a text reminding you of your appointment - you'll receive this a few days before your appointment date. 

What you need to bring

Please read your appointment letter very carefully as it might ask you to bring certain items with you, or ask you to visit another department for tests before your clinic appointment.

Please remember to bring:

• your appointment letter, and any other information we have sent to you. All medications you are taking, including prescription medications, medicines you have bought or alternative medicines, such as herbal remedies
• a small amount of money in case you need to buy a drink or snack
• information about any change in your personal details, for example if you have a new address or new GP
• proof of entitlement to free prescriptions
• proof of entitlement to free travel costs
• any samples, as requested by your doctor or nurse

Waiting times

Please set aside at least two hours for your first outpatient visit to allow for any tests or X-rays you may need.

Delays

We will do our best to see you on time, although delays are sometimes unavoidable. The patient before you may take longer than expected, or the doctor may be away on an emergency. Our staff will keep you informed of any delays.

You may notice that a patient who has arrived after you is seen before you. This patient will probably be seeing a different doctor to you.

Be on time

It is very important that you arrive on time for your appointment. If you are early you will not be seen more quickly, but if you are late other patients who arrived on time may be seen before you.

When you arrive

When you arrive at the hospital, please go to the reception of the outpatient clinic that you are attending and let a member of staff know that you have arrived.

At your clinic, the receptionist will book you in and explain what will happen next. You might be asked to go to another department for tests. You will also be asked questions about your ethnic background, including your religious beliefs. You do not have to answer these questions, but the information will help us to meet your needs. Please let the receptionist know about any changes in your personal details.

There may be limited seating in the waiting area so we request that you only bring one relative or friend with you. We make exceptions for patients with young children.

Non-smoking

We operate a strict non-smoking policy across all of our sites. Visit the Buckinghamshire smokescape website for more details about giving up smoking.

During your consultation

You may see either your consultant or another doctor working in the same team. If you feel particularly strongly about seeing a female or male doctor, please let the clinic nurse know when you arrive.

The nurse may also carry out some provisional tests, such as testing a urine sample or measuring your blood pressure.

Medical students
Some of our doctors teach medical students during their clinics. If you would prefer not to have medical students present during your consultation, please inform a member of staff.

Consenting to treatment

We want to make sure that you fully understand your condition and the different treatment options available to you. Before you receive any treatment, your doctor will explain what he or she is recommending, including the benefits, risks and any alternatives. Please ask questions if you are unsure about anything.

You may be asked to sign a consent form for your treatment. You are able to refuse treatment at any time, including after you have signed a consent form. If you are unsure then please ask us for further clarification.

Further help and support

We aim to respect your privacy, dignity and religious and cultural beliefs at all times. Please contact us if you have any special needs such as washing and praying facilities.

If you are unhappy about any aspect of your care, please speak to the nurse in charge, who will try to resolve matters for you there and then. If you need further help or advice, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at your hospital.

Your views about our services are important to us. Your experiences will help us to improve existing services and influence our future plans. We welcome your comments and feedback.

Interpretation and sign language: If you need help with interpretation or sign language services, our staff can assist you. Please let us know when you book your appointment with us.

Wheelchair access: All pedestrian entrances are suitable for wheelchairs. There are disabled toilets in key locations around our hospitals.

Sensory impairment: Signers can be arranged to help during your visit. Please call the number on your appointment letter to let us know what help you need. Please give as much notice as possible. Guide dogs may accompany you during your visit, but please give the clinic staff as much notice as possible so that they can accommodate this. Please call the number on your appointment letter.

Disabled parking: Parking at all of our hospitals is limited but we do our best to help disabled patients arriving by car. There are parking staff at all of our sites who will be able to direct you.

Please note that parking for people with disabled badges is free for all of our hospitals, either in the allocated bays close to building or in the regular parking bays elsewhere.

For more details on parking visit our parking section.

More details on how to get to our  hospital locations

Amersham Hospital

Buckingham Hospital

Chalfonts and Gerrards Cross Hospital

Marlow Hospital

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Thame Hospital

Wycombe Hospital

http://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/For%20patients%20and%20visitors/getting-to-wycombe-hospital.htm