Appointment Details
The details of your appointment will be sent to you by letter and will confirm the date, time and location of your appointment. If the date and time is unsuitable please call the number on your letter to rearrange your appointment.
Occasionally we may phone you to arrange an appointment. This may occur if an appointment is being arranged at short notice.
At present all outpatient appointments take place at the Physically Disabled Rehabilitation Unit (PDRU) at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (formerly the Southern General Hospital).
If you cannot make your appointment please let us know so the appointment can be reallocated to someone else
What to bring with you
When you come to your appointment, please bring:
- Your appointment letter
- A note of any prescribed drugs you are taking
- Repeat prescription card (if you have one)
- Any questions you may have for the staff
- Any splints or orthotic devices you use
- Glasses, hearing aid or any communication devices you use
Often it is useful to bring a relative or friend with you to your clinic appointment
Arrival at the clinic
When you arrive, please approach the reception and hand your appointment letter to the receptionist. You will be asked to wait in the waiting area. The receptionist can direct you to where to access water or the drinks machine if required.
If you have not been seen within thirty minutes of your appointment time, a reason for the delay should be given and an indication of when you will be seen.
What to expect
If this is your first appointment at the PDRU, you will be seen by members of the interdisciplinary team (usually a doctor and a physiotherapist). If this appointment is a follow up/return appointment you will be seen by the most relevant member of the interdisciplinary team. If you are attending the Spasticity clinic you will be seen by a doctor and physiotherapist.
You can bring a friend or relative into the clinic room with you if you wish. The length of the consultation can vary and investigations may be carried out so please try not to have any immediate commitments scheduled for after your appointment. If a physical examination is required, you may be asked to remove some of your clothing but if so you will be given time to do this in private.
Afterwards, if the doctor/physiotherapist feels that a further appointment is necessary the receptionist at your clinic will make the necessary arrangements for you.
While at your clinic appointment
Student teaching: There may be students at your clinic but you have the right to decide whether or not you wish to participate in student teaching or medical research. You should be asked about this before your consultation.
No smoking & no alcohol: The hospital operates a No Smoking Policy and No Alcohol Policy. ‘No Smoking’ means no smoking in any NHS building, entrance, doorway, grounds or car park.
Fire safety: In the event of the fire alarm ringing the clinic staff or receptionist will advise you what to do.
Courtesy of staff: Abusive or violent behaviour will not be tolerated and the hospital will consider prosecuting any person whose behaviour is unacceptable.
Confidentiality of Health Information: All staff are legally bound by a Confidentiality Code of Practice regarding Health Information recorded about you. If you wish to know more about confidentiality and health information then a guidance leaflet is available from all clinics.
Further information regarding the protection of your data can be found at: http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/patients-and-visitors/faqs/data-protection-privacy/
Mobile phones: Please do not use mobile phones whilst attending your appointment – they may cause interference to medical equipment.
Travel costs: You may be entitled to help with necessary travel costs to and from hospital if you receive NHS treatment under the care of a consultant and have a low income or receive certain benefits or credits. For more details please see the NHS Scotland leaflet HCS1 – Are you entitled to help with health costs.
You can download a copy of this leaflet here or from the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/healthcosts.
Please ask at the reception desk if you require further information. Alternatively, you can telephone the NHS Helpline on 0800 224488 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).