This information is to help you during your visit to our hospital. You may also find it useful to refer to the other sections such as General Information. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff.

• Your appointment

• Changing your personal details

• On arrival

• After your appointment

• Attending and returning by ambulance

Your appointment

If an appointment has been made for you to attend an outpatient clinic at Dr Gray's Hospital, you will find details of the date, time and which clinic you are to attend on your appointment letter / card. 

You are welcome to bring a relative or friend with you.

Please bring your medicines with you, or a note of all your medication, when you attend for your appointment.

A specialist is always responsible for the clinic session. You may not be seen by them, but by another clinician who can discuss your management with the specialist, if required.

If for any reason you are unable to keep or want to cancel your appointment, please let us know by telephoning the number on your appointment letter / card. Your help in this will mean fewer wasted appointments and help us to keep waiting times down.

If you do not attend this appointment and you have not notified us, your GP will be informed.

If for any reason, your appointment has to be cancelled by the clinic, we will let you know of an alternative date by letter or by telephone.

Your GP will not be able to arrange for an earlier appointment unless your condition deteriorates. If, unfortunately, your condition does deteriorate whilst you are waiting for your appointment, you should make a new appointment with your GP who will consider what needs to be done.

Dr Gray's Hospital is a teaching hospital where we train students and conduct research. Whilst recognising that you need not assist in teaching or research, it is hoped that you will wish to help us if asked to do so. Please inform the staff if you do not wish students to be present during your consultation.

Change in your personal details

Please telephone or write to the Clinic to notify us of any change(s) in your name, address or telephone number. You can find the telephone number on your appointment letter / card.

On arrival

Please hand your letter / card in at the outpatient's reception desk. The receptionist will check your identification details. You will then be asked to go to the clinic waiting area and you will be seen according to your appointment time.

We aim to see patients at their appointment time, or at least within 30 minutes of their appointment time. If delays are likely, we will keep you informed of the reason and how long you are likely to have to wait. Please note, several types of clinic may be running at the same time. If you are diabetic you should bring a snack with you in case you are delayed.

Some tests may have to be performed before you are examined, and in a number of clinics you may be asked to provide samples of blood and/or urine.

All permanent members of staff wear a name badge that bears a photograph to help you identify them.

After your appointment

You may be asked to return to the clinic for further treatment or investigations. If you are told you need a further appointment please visit the outpatient reception to arrange the appointment before leaving the hospital.

If you are referred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) for further tests, they will send you the date and time of your appointment.

The hospital specialist will send your GP a report advising of any treatment, or further investigations needed. If your treatment is to begin immediately, you will be given a letter to hand to your GP.

Patients attending and returning home by ambulance

If you are coming to hospital by ambulance, please be ready at least one hour before your appointment time. Every effort is made by the Ambulance Service to bring you to the clinic on time. If there are any delays, please do not be concerned as you will be seen as soon as possible after your arrival at the clinic.

If the ambulance does not arrive please contact the receptionist at the telephone number on your appointment card. They will investigate the delay on your behalf and get back to you as soon as possible.

If you are returning home by ambulance you will be picked up from the same clinic area. You may have to wait for an ambulance to take you home. The reception staff will keep you informed of any delays. Please tell the clinic staff if you are leaving the clinic or if you have been waiting a long time. If you require an ambulance for your next appointment please let the staff at the clinic know.

Published: 16/09/2020 11:24