Hospital Out Patient Clinics

These are an essential part of our NHS.
They have a number of common factors
Queues at Reception, Small Waiting areas with high density seating, Office Hours opening times, patients accompanied by others. Social distancing problematical




Why the contribution is important

Triage before entry, forehead temperature check, Apply hand sanitiser, wear paper disposal mask
Check in with digital touch screen, hand sanitiser, only patient enters area
Next Appointment made in Clinic not a Reception
Extend opening hours to reduce over crowding
Write to all patients with outstanding appointments what is being done to keep them safe.
There has been a dangerous level of reluctance to attend hospitals,people need reassurance it will be safe to attend

by Caledonian on May 06, 2020 at 10:41AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.4
Based on: 7 votes

Comments

  • Posted by jennyw May 06, 2020 at 11:24

    There is definately a real need to reinstate clinics. I would like to suggest that the additional treatment hospitals be used for people requiring treatment for Corova19 virus and free up the general hospitals for other emergency and clinics.

    Extended opening hours for clinics and people management controls should be applied, afterall the supermarkets are managing to do this. Also, reinstating dentistry is a must!

  • Posted by glasgow May 06, 2020 at 11:38

    i have an outstanding referral to an Orthopaedic Clinic since January of this year. I fully realise that the NHS has more important matters with which to wrestle; however, it would be good to hear even by letter that i am still on the books and have not been forgotten about in these trying times.

  • Posted by jo37scot May 06, 2020 at 11:55

    Agree hospital appointments need to restart soon but continue to use telephone/ VC review where possible.

  • Posted by lmg1612 May 06, 2020 at 12:34

    Absolutely. I have a friend who has a double whammy of mental illnesses. She works, but currently isn't allowed to. Her psychiatric and psychology ties have both been cut. Her Gp is great but can only do so much. She desperately needs help and has been waiting 2 years already for appropriate help. But, I suspect, due to the fact she has never harmed herself she is classed as not being high risk. Other than 2 generic letters she has had no professional support. I worry about her

  • Posted by Outragedoldbag May 06, 2020 at 12:37

    NHS staff have been working incredibly hard as well as risking their lives. Many have died or are ill. What they deserve is a break, not even longer hours.

  • Posted by Muriel May 06, 2020 at 15:12

    Wherever possible it might be a good idea to do a telephone appointment with a hospital doctor and leave it to him/her to decide if a hospital visit is necessary. I too have missed a rheumatology appointment but, fortunately, do not have any pressing problems and would be happy to conduct it this way, freeing up consultant time for those in more immediate need.

  • Posted by Stircrazy May 07, 2020 at 14:11

    Before the corona crisis, many hospital out-patient clinics had seriously long waiting lists - some of up to a year. Now that all clinics have been cancelled the problem will be exponentially worse with a build up of serious ill health in the general population, which could have serious impact on morbidity and mortality for years to come after the Corona epidemic. Whilst the ICU staff in the NHS are currently incredibly busy, the staff in the out patient Departments are underemployed and feeling helpless. Open the out- patient clinics as soon as possible whilst ensuring social distancing precautions are in place. All cancer screening programmes should also be reinstated immediately.
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