Dietetic telephone assessment clinics – general information

What is a telephone clinic?

Telephone clinics are outpatient appointments that take place over the telephone rather than attending the hospital.

A dedicated time slot on a specific date will be allocated to you but rather than the appointment taking place in a hospital clinic, it will be done with you over the telephone. The person doing the clinic will call you on the contact number you have registered at this time.

Why have they been set up?

The telephone assessment clinic has been set up to ensure that we have all the information that we need on your current diet and symptoms to ensure that you are booked into the most appropriate dietetic service to treat you.

The telephone assessment clinic is designed to be more convenient to you and save you time and the inconvenience of travelling to Addenbrooke’s. It will ensure that you receive the right treatment at your first appointment.

How do these clinics work?

As with any other clinic, you will be sent your appointment date and time in the post. During your allocated appointment time we ask you to remain close to your telephone and ensure it is not in use so we can contact you. It is important that you update our records if you make any changes to your telephone number.

We can contact you on a different number providing you make us aware of the number. We would recommend you choose a number where you can talk easily and feel comfortable talking to us.

We will ask you some simple security questions to confirm we are talking to the correct person. Due to patient confidentiality issues we will only be able to hold the consultation directly with you, our patient.

The dietitian will ask you some questions about your current abdominal symptoms and your diet, including foods you typically eat and any foods you suspect could be a trigger of your symptoms. Once this assessment is completed you will be offered a face to face clinic appointment or group education session that matches your needs. If during the assessment either the dietitian or you feel that a face to face assessment would be more appropriate an appointment can be made.

What if I prefer to come to clinic?

The telephone assessment clinic helps ensure you are booked into the most appropriate dietetic service to treat you. However, if you prefer to attend clinic and have a face-to-face assessment you are very welcome to request an outpatient appointment. Please contact us and make this request so that a clinic booking can be made.

If you have any communication or memory problems please let our administration team know when booking your appointment.

What if others want to listen to our conversation?

We will need to hold the initial consultation with you, as you are the patient. However should you have a speaker phone or wish others to listen to our conversation that is entirely your choice and decision.

What if I am not able to keep the telephone clinic appointment?

Telephone follow-ups follow the same rules as any other outpatient clinic appointments in the hospital.

Every effort will be made to make an appointment time convenient to you. However if you cancel two consecutive appointments we are unable to offer you any further appointments and you will be discharged from the service.

If you do not answer the telephone number you have specified within the first few minutes of your appointment time this will constitute a Did Not Attend (DNA). If you DNA we are unable to offer you any further appointments and you will be discharged from the service

Who do I contact if I have any concerns?

You are always very welcome to contact us for advice and information.

Useful contact details

For changing appointments for your telephone consultation please contact our Administration team on 01223 216655.

Patient advice and liaison service (PALS)

PALS are here to provide help, advice, support and information and to listen to your suggestions and concerns.

If you, your relatives or your carers are unhappy with any aspect of your care, or the service you receive while you are attending an outpatient clinic or via the telephone clinic, you or they should speak to a member of the clinic staff as soon as possible. If you feel unable to speak directly to staff, then call the PALS team on 01223 216756 or email PALS and they will be able to assist you.