Once you have booked an outpatient appointment with us you will receive an appointment confirmation letter. This will contain details of your first appointment, such as the date, time and where you need to go once you get to the hospital.
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 at the hospital, please go to the reception of the outpatient clinic that you are attending and let a member of staff know you have arrived.
Please set aside at least two hours for your first outpatient visit to allow for any tests or X-rays you may need.
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.
Some of our hospitals are teaching hospitals. This means that 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.
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.
Do you know who is caring for you? If not, please ask them to introduce themselves.We're proud to support the #hellomynameis campaign. It was introduced to make sure that our patients get a more personal and better experience in our hospitals. This means that all staff should introduce themselves to you as they meet you.
Once you have seen a doctor, a member of staff will tell you if you need to visit other parts of the hospital for further tests, such as X-rays. The clinic nurse will explain what the tests involve and how to get there, so please ensure you report to the nurse before you go.
We make hundreds of thousands outpatient appointments each year and the vast majority of these go ahead without any problems. We do however recognise that there are occasions where appointments do not go ahead, either because we have made a mistake when arranging the appointment or because emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances mean that we have to cancel the appointment. If this happens, we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused and we will explain what we are going to do to take your care forward. Please note that we are unable reimburse any costs incurred in attending appointments that do not go ahead.
The Trust has access to interpreting and sign language services. Should you need these during your appointment they will booked on your behalf.
Our staff will make every effort to ensure you are seen on time, but outpatient departments are very busy and sometimes delays are 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.
If your doctor or nurse gives you a prescription you must collect this from the hospital pharmacy. To find out where the pharmacy is and what its opening hours are, select the relevant hospital below:
University Hospital, Coventry - the pharmacy is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and is located on the Ground Floor close to Reception (024 7696 6045). Hospital of St Cross, Rugby - the pharmacy is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and is located in Withybrook Wing (01788 545221).
If you would like further information on your prescription you can access the medicines guide on the NHS Choices website. We also have a dedicated pharmacy section on this website.
Please note that, as with all NHS prescriptions, you will have to pay a charge unless you are exempt. If you are exempt, you will need to bring proof of your exemption with you, such as an income support book.
If you need another appointment a member of staff will explain how you can book one. You usually do this at reception before you leave.
Our hospitals will keep a record of your health and the treatment you receive from the NHS. This record is important to help ensure you receive the best possible care, and in case you need to come back for further treatment.
Your information is kept strictly confidential. Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to maintain patient confidentiality.
Some information from medical records may be used for other purposes such as training and educating our clinical staff, carrying out medical and other health research, and in the planning of future NHS services. However, your personal details will not be divulged.
Your personal information is used to help the NHS provide you or your child with the best possible care. Read our information leaflet on how we keep your health information confidential.
If you would like to access your record, please complete this application form and send to the FOI and Access to Health Records Department at the hospital, using the details below.
Contact details:
FOIA and Access to Health Records Team
Room 20018 – 2nd Floor Clinical Science Building
University Hospital Clifford Bridge Road Coventry CV2 2DX
02476 968771
A2HR@uhcw.nhs.uk
We want to make sure that you fully understand your condition and the different treatment options available. 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 on a low income or you receive benefits such as income support, job seeker’s allowance, child tax credit or disability living allowance, you may be entitled to reclaim the cost of travelling to and from the hospital if you use public transport.
To find out if you can make a claim, please speak to a member of staff at the reception of the outpatient clinic you are attending. You will need proof of your low income or benefits, receipts or tickets for your journey, and you will need to complete a travel expenses claim form.
If you are able to make a claim, you will need to go to the cashier’s office to collect your money. To find out where the general office is, select the relevant hospital below:
University Hospital, Coventry Hospital of St Cross, Rugby
The Health Information Centre at University Hospital, Coventry can provide more written information on your condition, treatment or procedure. Find out more about the Centre in the Help and Support section.
If you need further help or advice, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at your hospital. Find out more about PALS in the Help and support section.
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Please ensure you have a current blood test request form, if not please contact your hospital consultant or GP and they will post one to you. Unfortunately, your blood test will need to be rescheduled if you do not have a blood test request form when you come to a Blood Test clinic.
All blood tests are by appointment, please book an appointment using the Book Online button below.
If you have an appointment and cannot attend, please remember to cancel or reschedule your appointment so that someone else can use the time slot that you no longer need.
If you cannot book an appointment online, family and friends may be able to help – you can book appointments for more than one person from one account. Booking online is the quickest way to make an appointment.
If this is not possible, there is a telephone line for those who cannot book online. Please call 02476 153546 between 8am and 1pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.