Your appointment at North Mid

On arrival, you will be issued with a face mask, directed to hand sanitising stations and to the Reception Desk who will check your demographics and collect your completed Infection Control questionnaire, they will then direct you to the correct area to register your attendance.

Please allow up to two hours for your appointment as you may require an x-ray or scan during your appointment.

Types of appointment

We have three different types of outpatient appointments to suit the needs for both the service and patients.

Telephone appointments

Telephone appointments can be beneficial to patients who may be elderly, frail, vulnerable, or perhaps with a physical or physiological disability or patients who work, have dependents or transport problems.

If you have been allocated a telephone appointment a doctor from your specialty has decided that this is the best way at the moment to discuss your care with you and will call you on the day of your appointment.  You do not need to attend the hospital if you are having a telephone appointment.

We will endeavour to call around the time of your appointment, however please note that you will be called in the AM for morning appointments or PM for afternoon appointments.  If you have provided a mobile telephone number you will receive a text reminder prior to your appointment.  Please ensure you are available to take the telephone call.  Should you miss the call, we will attempt to call you back up to three times.  If you miss all the calls your notes will be recorded as not attended your appointment.  Please ensure you update us with your correct telephone number(s)

Video appointments        

A video call is very similar to a face to face appointment and this service is provided in partnership with the "Attend video platform”.  Your referrals will have been reviewed by the doctor or nurse who feels that a patient would be suitable for this type of appointment. You do not need to attend the hospital if you are having a video appointment. You will receive the same level of care as a face to face appointment. 

Find out what you need for a video appointment

Face to face appointments

These slots will be authorised by the doctor and will be used for:

  • complex medical conditions that need review prior to diagnostics
  • complex medical conditions that need review post STT (straight to test). 

If you have a face-to-face appointment please report to the Main Outpatient Reception desk, located on the Ground Floor of the Main Building. 

Please queue as directed and wait until you are called.  Be ready to provide your completed Infection Prevention Questionnaire, your appointment letter to the Front Desk Receptionist.  You will be asked to confirm your demographic details and will then be directed to the correct clinic location.

If you have an appointment with another service outside of Outpatients then please go directly to the location indicated in your letter.

Patient initiated follow-up appointments

Many patients with long-term conditions, or following hospital treatment, are asked to meet with their clinical team regularly. However, those follow-up appointments don’t always require to be at routine intervals and can be activated when the patient needs them. This type of appointment allows you to arrange a follow-up appointment for you, or someone you care for, only when you need it.

Find out more about PIFU here

How to prepare for your appointment

Inform the doctor if you are pregnant, have any allergies or are taking any medicines.

Have a list of all your current medication.

Write down everything you want to discuss on the day, including a list of:

  • all your symptoms
  • medicines you're taking
  • any questions or concerns you have
  • anything your GP has recommended you ask the doctor

You should make notes during the appointment. Often, there's a lot of information to digest. Taking notes allows you to refer to them at home or at your follow-up appointment.

The following things should be explained to you during your consultation:

  • what might be wrong
  • whether you need any tests
  • which treatment is best for you
  • what happens next and who to contact.