Your outpatient appointment

Why are you changing appointments?

We are treating high numbers of patients with Covid-19 across our hospitals and we need to make as many staff as possible available.

We also want to keep our patients stafe and reduce the risk of spreading the virus in by minimising the number of people in our hospitals.

How are you changing appointments?

The clinical teams are reviewing your notes or your referral letter and deciding the best option for you.

• We are converting some appointments from face-to-face to telephone and video consultations.

• We are postponing some appointments.

• Some appointments will remain as face-to-face if the clinical team believe you need to be seen in person.

This will affect the majority of appointments in December and January.

Will I be contacted?

We will contact you if your appointment has been postponed or recently changed to a telephone or video appointment. If you do not receive a telephone call, please follow the instructions in your appointment letter.

If you have any questions please contact us using the number on your letter.

Are some face-to-face appointments still taking place? If so, why?

Yes, a small number of face-to-face appointments are still taking place. This is because our clinical teams have assessed that these patients urgently need to be seen in person.

If you have been contacted and asked to attend hospital for a face-to-face appointment, it is safe to do so and you should attend as normal. Please consider whether it is absolutely necessary to bring friends or family members with you.

How will this affect my treatment/health?

We want you to stay well and get the support you need. Please continue to follow any advice that a doctor has given you about your condition and continue to take any medication you have been prescribed, unless told otherwise.

We will contact you with arrangements for any tests or treatments that are necessary to keep your health stable.

Please contact your GP if you have any concerns or if you need support to manage your symptoms. GPs can get advice from our consultants if needed, and we will continue to provide outpatient appointments (usually by telephone) in urgent cases.

How will I get the medications and tests I need?

Your clinical team will contact you to supply any “hospital only” medications and arrangements for any tests you require. All other medication will continue to be prescribed by your GP.

Please ask your GP if you have any concerns about your medication. 

I have been waiting a long time for this appointment. When will it take place?

Unfortunately, at the moment we are unable to say when appointments will be rescheduled. We will be in touch with a new date and time for your appointment in due course. If you have any further concerns or your condition gets worse, please contact your GP.

Will I need to get referred again for a new appointment?

We are keeping records of all patients whose appointments have been postponed and we will contact you to offer a new appointment once we are able to. If you have been discharged from our care, you will need to be referred by a GP if your symptoms change in the future.

How will you prioritise who is seen first once appointments start again?

Our teams will decide this based on the clinical needs of all of our patients.

How do I keep up to date with changes at Barts Health?

You can see up to date messages by checking the coronavirus section of our website or following us on social media @NHSBartsHealth (Twitter and Instagram) and Facebook.com/BartsHealth

Before your outpatient appointment there are a few items we suggest you bring with you:

• Your appointment letter or appointment card
• Information about you; including your address, your GP’s address and for children, their school address.
• Medicines and allergy treatments; the names of the medication, what you’re taking it for and how often you take it.

Find out what to do if you have special requirements.

When you arrive at the hospital

Your appointment letter or appointment card should tell you where to go when you arrive.

If not, please call the number on your appointment letter or appointment card to find out where you should go. If you misplace your appointment letter or card, please contact central appointments.

Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment. Every missed appointments costs the NHS £160.

When you arrive at the clinic/department

On arrival, please speak to the clinic receptionist, who will explain what you need to do next.

When you see the doctor

At your appointment, you may be seen by the consultant in charge of your care, or by another doctor who works on the consultant’s team. If the consultant or doctor decides that you need to be seen again, you will be asked to book a further appointment with the clinic receptionist before you leave.

Is it okay to ask lots of questions?

Yes. We want you to become involved in your healthcare and play an active part in decision making. We will always make time to listen, so please speak up if you have any queries or concerns.

How to identify our staff

All staff in our hospitals wear identity badges, which should be visible at all times. Ask any member of staff to show you their badge, and they’ll be happy to do so. Staff such as nurses, healthcare support workers and domestics all wear uniforms. Doctors and consultants don’t have uniforms, but may wear a white coat.

Will I come into contact with students?

It’s possible that you will come into contact with students, as all our hospitals are involved in teaching students. They may help with giving you direct care or examinations (under supervision) and you might be asked to discuss your condition with students. You have the right to refuse to be seen or treated by students – refusal will not affect the rest of your care.

Will I be asked to take part in research?

Our staff are involved in a variety of research projects and at some stage in your treatment you may be asked to be involved with one of these projects. Any research you are asked to take part in will be relevant to your care. You have the right to refuse to be involved in any research – refusal will not affect the rest of your care.

Do you need my consent before treatment or surgery?

Yes, we do. We won’t go ahead with treatment or surgery without your permission. And you have the right to refuse any treatment or examinations. If you are not able to give your consent, staff will act in your best interests.

I am an overseas visitor – will I have to pay for my treatment?

Yes, the NHS charges overseas patients, unless they are exempt. Clinic staff or the Paying Patients Office (tel 020 346 55028) can advise you about this.

Where do I get my prescription?

If the doctor prescribes new or different medication, he/she will either write and inform your GP or give you a prescription to take to the hospital pharmacy, which you can find:

Newham University Hospital

Zone 4 on the ground floor corridor
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, Saturday 9.30am-12noon

The Royal London Hospital

 The Lloyds Pharmacy is near the main entrance
Opening hours:  – 9am to 5.30pm - check with Lloyds

St Bartholomew’s Hospital

Ground floor KGV – again, it is a Lloyds Pharmacy
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5.30pm – check with Lloyds

Whipps Cross University Hospital

Outpatient Dispensary/Shop on the ground floor, next to the United News Shop in the Outpatients building in the Yellow Zone
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

The standard prescription fee will be charged unless you are exempt from charges. If you are exempt, please provide proof – for example, an exemption certificate. Hospital pharmacy prescriptions are not valid for dispensing by your local community pharmacist and you should therefore collect your prescription items before you leave the hospital.

Important Note:

Patients or their representatives may be required to provide proof of identity for the collection of certain pharmacy items supplied against a prescription at the hospital pharmacy.

Follow-up appointments

If you need to come back for follow-up care, an appointment will usually be made before you leave the clinic. If not, we’ll send you a letter to invite you back.