Outpatients

When you have booked an outpatient appointment  you will receive an appointment letter. This will contain details of your first appointment, such as the date, time and where you need to go.

Many Frimley Park outpatient appointments are now held at nearby Aldershot Centre for Health and from May 2011 the hospital will also be providing some outpatient services from Skimped Hill Health Centre in Bracknell providing local access to services for patients living in the Bracknell and Ascot areas.

Your appointment letter will tell you where your appointment is being held. On your first visit visit to an outpatient clinic, it may be necessary to undergo certain tests and x-rays before or after seeing the doctor so please allow time for this.

Some translation services are available from within the hospital. Please ask if you require this service before your appointment.

When you arrive
On arrival, please report to the outpatients reception. Show your appointment letter or card to the receptionist who will check your personal details and ask you to take a seat. Please bring your appointment card with you each time you attend the hospital. If you have any disability which may affect you during your visit (for example if you are hard of hearing), please let our reception staff know.

Waiting times
We aim to see everyone within 30 minutes of their appointment time. However, from time to time there may be unforeseen delays, for example when there are medical emergencies. We will endeavour to minimise any waiting time and our information screens will keep you notified of any delays.

Your consultation
Medical staff work in teams, each under the direction of a consultant. You will not necessarily see the same doctor each time but the one you see will always be familiar with the details of your previous visits. Each clinic has a member of nursing staff available if you have any worries. Their name will appear on the board with that of the medical staff for your particular clinic.

Students
There may be students present during your consultation as part of their ongoing training. Please let us know if you would rather see the doctor alone.

Medications
Please let us know if you are currently taking any tablets, medicines or eyedrops. These should be brought with you when you attend for your clinic appointment. If you are prescribed any medication at your appointment, the doctor will give you a prescription and you can get any medicines prescribed at the hospital pharmacy. Unless you are exempt from paying prescription charges, you will be asked to pay for your prescription in the usual way. The pharmacy is on the ground floor - for a location map click here.

Eye clinics
If you are attending the eye clinic and your wear glasses for reading or for distance vision, please bring your glasses with you.

After your consultation
After you have been seen you might need to visit other parts of the hospital for further tests such as an x-ray. The clinic nurse will explain about what you need to do and where you need to go.

Follow-up appointments
If you need another appointment you can book one at the outpatients reception before you leave.

Appointment cancellations
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please tell us as soon as possible and if possible give us at least 48 hours of your cancellation. There is a free 24-hour service line for appointment cancellations only on 0800 591605.

Hospital transport
Hospital transport is not generally available unless your medical condition warrants it and you have no other way of getting to hospital. If transport has been booked but you no longer require assistance, please contact the patient transport liaison office on 01276 604131.

Travelling expenses
If you are on any DSS allowances, or quality as 'low income' and need help with travelling expenses, leaflet HC11 can be obtained from the DSS or from the hospital's cash office or outpatient reception. This leaflet gives advice on how to reclaim any expenses incurred.

Refreshments
Cafe Glade and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service shop are both locatated in the hospital's main reception area.

No smoking
Smoking is not allowed anywhere within the hospital or its grounds.