Your Outpatient Appointment
Before Your Appointment
Please tell us in advance of your appointment if you or your family have any particular requirements e.g. a disability or you need for an interpreter, and we will do our best to help.
Cancelling or checking your appointment
If you need to change or cancel your appointment for any reason, please let the department know as soon as possible so that your appointment can be given to another patient. The relevant contact details should be in your appointment letter, if not then please contact us via our main switchboard on 01752 202082 or our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) team who should be able to advise.
For your appointment
Things to bring with you
- appointment card or letter (if you have one)
- A list of any tablets or medicines you are taking
- enough money for prescription charges, telephone calls, refreshments and car parking
- income support/family credit book if you are receiving benefit and want to claim travelling expenses
- your diary dates or special arrangements (such as holidays) which might affect your future appointments or treatment
- a book to read in case you have to wait (or a quiet toy for a child).
- any questions you want to ask the doctor/nurse/therapist
Please do not bring anything of value.
If possible, please bring only one relative or friend with you as space in the waiting area is limited.
When You Arrive
- There are signposts to all Outpatient Departments.
- There are volunteer Hospital Guides at the main reception desk on level 6, who can show you to the clinic.
- View our floor maps for Derriford hospital
At the outpatient clinic
- Please book in with the clinic receptionist. You will be directed to your waiting area.
- Please remember to tell us if you have changed your name, address or your General Practitioner (GP). We need to record these details to update our records and to ensure that we can contact you or your GP if necessary.
- Patients are seen in order of appointment time, rather than in order of arrival to the clinic.
- We do our best to run the clinics smoothly and to schedule. Sometimes appointments are delayed. This is usually for a good reason, and clinic staff should always tell you why a delay has occurred. If you have any concerns please ask at the reception desk.
When you see the doctor
- This may be your only chance to ask questions about your condition. It may help to think of questions before you come to the clinic and write them down.
- Outpatient visits may involve some simple investigations and tests. We will discuss these with you.
- If you think you may not be able to remember what is said to you, please ask for the information to be written down.
Medical students
Derriford is a teaching hospital, which means we train healthcare professionals. We allow students to get involved in the treatment and care of patients so they get practical experience.
Please tell your doctor or nurse if you don’t want students to be involved in your care. Your care won’t be affected in any way by your decision.
When You Leave
Please go back to the clinic reception desk before you leave the hospital.
