Preparing for an appointment

If you can’t come to your outpatient appointment please let us know as soon as possible by calling 0114 305 3691. Your appointment can then be rearranged and your original date can be given to someone else.

Before your appointment

Most outpatient appointments take place in the Outpatients Department at the main hospital site on Western Bank.

Some appointments are held in other locations inside the hospital or at our other sites. View directions and travel information for each of our clinic settings.

If you need an interpreter please call the number on your appointment letter at least two days before your appointment and we will arrange this for you.

If you have any questions about your child’s condition or treatment, bring them along with you to discuss with your doctor or nurse during your appointment.

You child may need to be examined during their visit so we recommend that they wear clothes that are easy to remove.

On the day of the appointment

Please allow plenty of time for travel and remember that parking is limited around the main hospital site. Find out more about parking, public transport and site locations.

You should aim to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time as we will measure your child’s height and weight before their appointment.

When you arrive you can check yourself in using the electronic check-in screens in the main entrance. Your child’s name will show on the call screens when the clinician is ready to see you.

Patients are seen in order of appointment time, rather than at the time of arrival. Sometimes delays can occur due to complex cases – we will try to keep you informed of any delays.

You can help your appointment go smoothly by bringing the following with you:

• appointment letter
• medications
• Personal Child Health Record (for local children)
• ‘Born in Sheffield’ books
• books/comics
• toys
• school work

Please try not to bring valuables. We cannot accept any liability for loss or damage of valuables.

A parent or legal guardian must accompany children to their appointment, but please limit the number of other family members in attendance wherever possible.

Chaperoning children

All children and young people under 18 must have an adult with them but patients aged 14 and over will be given the chance to be seen alone for part of their appointment.

A chaperone can also be present for examinations on request. Examinations are performed by trained members of staff and will always be explained to you beforehand. The role of the chaperone is to provide practical assistance with the examination and to provide support to the patient and family member/carer, as well as to the person carrying out the examination.

Older children who are making the transition to adult services will have a discussion about this process and will have the chaperone policy explained to them.

Please ask a member of staff if you have any questions.

At the appointment

You may be seen by a consultant, another doctor or by another specialist such as a nurse or therapist. Your child’s care will always be overseen by a consultant.

During your appointment you may need to visit other areas:

• If your child needs to be weighed and measured you will be shown to a private changing room (your child may be asked to undress so please make sure they wear suitable clothes for the appointment)
• Children having eye examinations may need to have eye drops
• Some tests may include an x-ray or scan. If this is required you will be directed to the x-ray room within the Outpatients Department. The procedure is normally like taking a photograph and the results will be sent to your consultant for discussion at this appointment or your next appointment.
• Sometimes we need to take a blood sample from your child. This may mean a small needle being inserted into the back of the hand or a thumb prick of blood. The procedure is generally quick although you may have to wait to be seen by a nurse who takes the blood.

After your appointment you may need a follow up appointment or test. You can arrange this at a staff base or the main reception hub.

If you need to collect medicines, ask for directions to our pharmacy.