If you cannot keep an appointment
Your appointment card or letter will provide you with details of the clinic you are asked to attend, the name of the consultant responsible for your care and the date and time of your appointment.
Please contact the telephone number shown on your appointment care/letter if you cannot attend your appointment.
We will be happy to make alternative arrangements for you.
When contacting the hospital please have your hospital number ready. You will find this on your appointment card/letter.
If you do not attend your clinic appointment and do not inform us, then you may find the consultant will decide not to arrange another appointment for you.
We will however notify your GP of this decision.
Before your appointment
- Before you set off for your appointment, please check your appointment card/letter to see which department you should go to.
- It is essential that you bring your appointment card/letter with you.
- Please read your appointment card/letter carefully as it may contain specific instructions for the clinic that you are attending.
- Please follow any instructions that we give you.
- It is also helpful if you bring a list of any medications you are on at present.
When you arrive at the Outpatient Department
- When you arrive at the department please report to the receptionist who will take your appointment card/letter and check your personal details.
- We will then direct you to the appropriate waiting area for your clinic, where you should take a seat until called.
- We call patients in the order of their appointment time, not in the order of arrival, so there is no need to arrive earlier than the time given on your appointment card/letter.
- We will do our best to make sure that you are seen as close as possible to your appointment time.
- Unavoidable delays can occur. If this happens, we will advise you of the reason for the delay and how much longer you will have to wait.
- Depending on clinical need, patients may be seen out of appointment order – for example if they are unwell, in pain, frail or elderly.
- Please allow yourself sufficient time for such an eventuality.
Your consultation
- Our staff will introduce themselves to you and throughout your consultant will treat you as a person and not as a case.
- We will include you in discussions about your health care needs, explaining any choices in treatment available to you.
- We want you to go home with a clear understanding of your visit and we will make every effort to make our explanations as clear as possible.
- If you are uncertain about anything, please ask. The appropriate member of the health care team will answer any questions that you have as fully as possible.
- Sometimes at clinics we require to carry out specific tests before or after you see the doctor. You may need to go to another department. If this is the case your clinic visit may take 1-2 hours. If you require a visit to another department, for example, X-ray, the outpatient staff will give you directions.
Monklands Hospital plays an important part in the training of students.
We are sure you will understand the need for students to gain experience and hope that you do not mind their presence. We will ask for your agreement prior to students being present at your consultation. However, you have the right to refuse and this will not affect your treatment.
We will respect your right to confidentiality at all times.
After your appointment
- After the doctor has seen you, he/she may ask you to make another appointment.
- Please make this with the receptionist before you leave the department.
- If you are not sure whether the doctor wants to see you again, please check with the clinic nurse or receptionist.
- Your GP will receive a letter about your outpatient visit usually within 10-14 days.