Attending my appointment

Arrival time

• Please arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to your appointment time unless your appointment letter specifies otherwise.

Where to go when you arrive at hospital

• Patients are asked to report to the reception area indicated on their appointment letter. 
  
  
• Patients attending appointments in Oxford Suite, Eign Suite and Audiology please check in at the main reception at the front entrance to Hereford County Hospital.
  
  
• When you receive a letter, giving you information of the date and time of your appointment, it should state which reception area that you need to attend. If you are unsure of where to go, ask at the main reception/information desk located in the main hospital entrance area.
  
  
• Outpatient areas have reception desks where you need to book in for your appointment.
  
  
• You will be asked to confirm your details and this would be the time that you could change details of your address or telephone number if necessary. The receptionist will then direct you to the waiting area for the clinic that you are attending.
  
  
• If you are delayed for any reason we ask that you telephone the relevant department.

Keeping my contact details up to date

We ask patients to keep their contact details up to date, including telephone numbers (house and mobile phone numbers), email and home address.  If your contact details have changed, please contact the department on your letter, so that these details can be updated.

Bringing a relative or friend to my appointment 

• Outpatients can be accompanied at their appointment by a relative or friend if needed.  We do ask that you bring only one person with you, if possible.  

• There may be situations in the clinic setting where a relative/friend is asked to wait outside the clinic room whilst a consultation takes place. 

Patient initiated follow up - putting you in control of your appointment

We encourage all patients to take an active role in their care, and we want to make sure your follow up appointments work better for you.

We know that attending appointments can be time consuming, costly and cause worry. We are learning from you that follow up appointments are not always useful or needed.

Now, you and your healthcare professional can work together to decide the best option for you. Find out more about patient initiated follow up.

Looking after your personal property

• We make every effort to ensure your belongings are safe and secure whilst you are in hospital. However, you are advised to bring only essential items into hospital as these are not insured under any hospital policy and will remain your own responsibility if they are lost.

Telephone & mobile phones

• Mobile telephones are only permitted in the main corridors of the hospital, as the use of these may interfere with medical equipment. If mobile phones are brought into hospital, please ensure that they are switched OFF when entering a ward of clinical area.
• A personal phone for each patient is included in the 'Patientline' entertainment system.
• Public payphones are available for outgoing calls and these are located near the main reception. These telephones cannot receive incoming calls nor can they take phone cards. We do supply a limited number of public payphones to use from wheelchairs. Please ask the ward staff where the nearest one is situated.

Privacy and dignity

• We are committed to the delivery of high quality services, affording our patients the same privacy, dignity, respect and compassion that we would want for ourselves, our family and friends. Find out about patient privacy and dignity at our hospitals.