Your first visit to the Haematology Outpatients Clinic - Information for Patients

You have been referred to the Haematology (blood) Clinic by your GP or another Doctor. Haematologists investigate and treat people with a wide range of disorders of the blood. Patients come to Haematology Clinics for many different reasons. They come for investigations, treatment or for follow up of many different blood conditions.

The Haematology Clinic you have been invited to attend is held in the Oncology Outpatients Department. This is for historical reasons but you will be seen by Haematology Doctors and Nurses.

When You Arrive

Please report to the main reception desk in Oncology Outpatients where your personal details will be checked and your arrival recorded on the computer. You will be asked to have a seat in the central waiting area and from here you will be called to have a blood test, your weight recorded and sometimes height measured. After your bloods have been taken you may be directed to Clinic1 A or return to the central waiting area where you will be called to see the Doctors.

Waiting Area

Many clinics take place at the same time so the waiting area is very busy and people will be called for tests or to see members of the clinical teams. As far as possible we try to give patients as long as they need for their blood clinic visit. The Doctors may need to wait for the results of blood tests taken and sometime emergencies happen which can result in delays to an appointment. The plasma screens in the main waiting area will show any delays in clinic time. We suggest you bring along something to do in case there are delays. Hot drinks and snacks are available from the RVS shop in the waiting area. This service is available 09.30 to 15.00 but not on a Friday afternoon.

The Appointment with the Haematology Doctor

When it is your turn to be seen in the Haematology Clinic you will be called through to the consulting room to meet the Haematology Doctor. During this consultation you will be asked about your medical history including any medicines that you are taking so please bring a list of these with you. You may also have an examination. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions or discuss any concerns you have about your investigations, diagnosis or treatment and for this some patients find it useful to bring a relative or friend with them for support.

It can be hard to remember all the information so you may find it helpful to bring a notepad with you or write any questions down before you come.

There is usually a Haematology Specialist Nurse in the clinic who will give you further written information and useful telephone contact numbers.

After Your Consultation

You will be asked to return to reception to make your next appointment, if one is needed, this may be face to face, telephone, or video. If any medicines have been prescribed by the Doctor you will need to collect these from the Outpatient Pharmacy in the hospital. It may take 1-2 hours to dispense.

If you have any comments or suggestions to make please feel free to fill in a comment card in the reception area.

For general enquiries regarding appointments, please phone the reception team on 01223 216551 / 01223 216552.

Privacy & dignity

Same sex bays and bathrooms are offered in all wards except critical care and theatre recovery areas where the use of high-tech equipment and/or specialist one to one care is required.