Patient safety is our top priority and we're working hard to provide COVID safe care to all our patients. If you're offered an appointment, it is important that you attend, whether that's by video, telephone or in person. This page contains information you need to know before attending your appointment.
If you have any questions you can't find the answers to here then please use the contact details in your appointment letter or call us on 01273 664511 (RSCH) or 01273 664973 (PRH)
What to expect at your appointment
How we're providing COVID safe care
When you’re invited to come to hospital, it’s important that you attend. The measures we have in place are designed to ensure our patients are as safe as possible.
Lots of appointments are now taking place virtually but you may be offered a face to face appointment if your clinician needs to see you in person.
Is it safe for me to attend hospital?
Yes. Your safety is always our top priority and lots of measures are in place to minimise risk of infection in our hospitals. Find out more on our coronavirus information page.
If you’re invited to hospital for a face to face appointment, planned procedure or surgery, it’s important that you attend.
Can I have a video or telephone consultation instead of a face to face appointment?
Many of our outpatients appointments are taking place virtually, however if you have been invited to hospital for a face to face appointment it is important that you attend. Sometimes your clinician will need to see you in person to carry out an examination, a minor procedure or x-ray.
Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?
In order to keep our waiting areas as safe as possible and minimise the amount of people in the hospital, we ask that you attend your appointment alone where possible. However, if you require support or assistance, you can bring one person with you. A carer or single parent for a child is permitted.
When should I arrive?
Please arrive as close to your specified appointment time as possible to minimise the amount of time spent in waiting areas.
Do I need to wear a mask?
Yes. You must wear a surgical mask at all times when in the hospital, you will be asked to replace your face-covering with a hospital mask on arrival. This will be provided if you don’t have one.
I have COVID-19 symptoms, what should I do?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms on the day of your appointment, do not attend your appointment. Follow the government guidance, stay home and book a test.
You can reschedule your appointment online or call the Outpatients booking line on 0300 303 8360 or email bsuh.outpatients.bookingcentre@nhs.net
Will my clinician be wearing PPE?
Yes, all hospital staff will all be wearing surgical masks and sometimes additional PPE such as aprons, gloves, gowns or visors. This is a precautionary measure to keep patients and staff as safe as possible.
How do I reschedule/cancel my appointment?
You can reschedule or cancel your appointment online or call the Outpatients booking line on 0300 303 8360 or email bsuh.outpatients.bookingcentre@nhs.net.
Missed appointments costs the NHS approximately £160 each time, if you no longer need your appointment, it’s important that you let us know so we can offer it someone else on the waiting list.
For further information about Outpatients appointments, see the Outpatients page
Is it safe for me to attend hospital?
Yes. Your safety is always our top priority and lots of measures are in place to minimise the risk of infection in our hospitals. If you’re told to come to hospital for a planned procedure or surgery, it is important that you attend.
Find out about safety measure in place in our hospitals on our coronavirus information page.
Do I need to self-isolate before and after my appointment?
You may need to self-isolate after you have had your Covid-19 swab taken prior to your operation or procedure. The swab is usually taken between 48 and 72 hours prior to your admission date. Further information about this will be included in your appointment letter and you will be contacted separately by a member of our team to make the arrangements.
Please read this guidance about preparing for your surgery or procedure.
Does the rest of my household need to self-isolate before my appointment?
Once you are isolating prior to your procedure Government guidance states that other members of your household also isolate to further reduce the risk of you catching Covid-19 prior to your procedure.
Will I be tested for COVID-19?
All patients attending for any elective operation or invasive procedure are currently being tested for COVID-19. This will be either by home testing or drop in 'pod' testing 72 hours before your appointment. The team who are caring for you will be in touch via telephone or post with further information.
What if I test positive for COVID-19?
If your test results are positive, your surgery or procedure will be rescheduled. In the event of your surgery having to be rescheduled, you will need to have at least one further negative test for COVID-19.
Can I bring someone with me to my operation/procedure?
We ask that where possible you attend hospital alone to minimise the amount of people in the hospital. However if you need support or assistance you can bring one person with you. Children can have one parent/carer present.
Can I have visitors while I’m in hospital?
Visitors are allowed on inpatient wards during specified times and if agreed in advance by the ward manager. More information can be found on the BSUH visiting page.
When should I arrive?
Details of your appointment date and time will be in your appointment letter. Please arrive as close to your appointment as possible to minimise the amount of time spent in waiting areas.
Do I need to wear a mask?
Yes. You must wear a surgical mask at all times when in the hospital, you will be asked to replace your face-covering with a hospital mask on arrival. This will be provided if you don’t have one.
I have COVID-19 symptoms, what should I do?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms on the day of your appointment, do not attend your appointment. Follow the government guidance, stay home and book a test.
Contact the hospital team you were due to report to in order to reschedule or cancel your appointment/operation. Contact details will be on your appointment letter.
Will my clinician be wearing PPE?
Yes, all hospital staff will all be wearing masks and sometimes additional PPE such as aprons, gloves, gowns or visors. This is a precautionary measure to keep patients and staff as safe as possible.
Are language interpreting and BSL sign language interpreters still available?
Yes, although many interpreting services are taking place via video call, rather than in person. Find out about interpreting services.
Virtual appointments will take place as a phone or video consultation. DO NOT ATTEND hospital.
Telephone appointments will take place either at your existing appointment time or within the timeframe indicated. We will contact you to organise this.
Video appointments will take place via video call. You will be contacted with details of your appointment time along with a link to access.
Please note: If the date or time is not convenient, you wish to be discharged/rescheduled or have another query, please contact the Outpatients booking line 0300 303 8360 or email bsuh.outpatients.bookingcentre@nhs.net
Appointments are in great demand and if you are not available then it is important that you contact us so that we can offer the appointment to another patient
For instructions on how to attend your video consultation, visit the video consultation page on the website
I’ve been waiting a long time for my referral/appointment date, what’s happening?
The virus is still circulating and we don’t want to put our patients or staff at risk. This means we have to keep infection prevention measures in place that limit the number of people we can see.
We understand that everyone wants to be seen as quickly as possible but we have to prioritise those who are most at risk of any delay and all cases have been reassessed by our consultants to make sure we are doing this.
We will get in touch with you as soon as we are able to give you more information about your appointment date and about how we will keep you safe while you are here.
If your condition changes or worsens, contact your GP in the first instance.
How can I check the progress of my referral?
If you need to find out more information about your referral and have not been contacted by the hospital yet, contact your GP, or call the Outpatients booking line on 0300 303 8360 or email bsuh.outpatients.bookingcentre@nhs.net.
Once you are referred by your GP, you should receive a text message to confirm we've received your referral.
Once you receive an appointment date, you can then sign up to our Patient Knows Best portal to receive all of your NHS correspondence virtually.
I no longer need my appointment, what should I do?
If your GP has made a referral but you have not yet received an appointment letter, please contact your GP to cancel your referral.
If you have an appointment date that you no longer need, please cancel your appointment.
Further information about hospital waiting lists can be found here - see our guide to waiting times
Quick links
Use the quick links below to access more information and support on COVID-19
Symptoms
A reminder that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms are:
- fever over 37.8c; and/or
- a new or persistent cough; and/or
- loss or change to your normal sense of smell and/or taste
You should stay at home if you have symptoms and arrange a test. To find out more about to do if you have symptoms and how to book a test visit the NHS web page.
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
- your condition gets worse
- your symptoms do not get better after 7 days.
