Pre Appointment Information

How to get the most out of your appointment

We want you to feel informed and involved in your healthcare. Shared decision-making is a process where patients and clinicians work together to make decisions and plan care based on both clinical evidence and your preferences and values.

To help prepare for your appointment, there are some key questions you can think about in the leaflet and videos below:

• Leaflet – Make the most of your appointment leaflet (PDF, Choosing Wisely UK)
• Videos – Royal Cornwall Patient Information

Please ensure you have the following to hand for your appointment:

• A list of any questions you would like to ask
• A list of the medications you are taking
• Money for your prescription or your exemption certificate (face to face appointments only)

Patient Hub

Patient Hub is a secure online portal which allows you to access all your hospital outpatient appointment information in one place, by using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Patient Hub prompts you, via text message or email, to access the portal using either your mobile number OR email address and date of birth.

If you are unable to or have not accessed Patient Hub to review your appointment information within 72 hours of being prompted, an appointment letter will be posted to you. YOU DO NOT NEED TO CALL US TO CONFIRM ATTENDANCE AT AN APPOINTMENT – the appointment will remain booked for you unless you tell us you do not want it on receipt of your letter.

For further information, please visit the Patient Hub.

Appointment Reminders

You will be sent a reminder of your appointment twice in the week before it is due. This will be for all appointments, including face to face, video and telephone. Please refer to your appointment letter for full details. If you need to reschedule your appointment, please request a rebooking on Patient Hub or call the number on the letter.

I’ve Arrived

For some departments, you will receive a text message approximately an hour before your face-to-face appointment asking you to let us know when you have arrived in the car park; please follow the link to notify us.

We ask that you remain in your car until we text you to invite you into the hospital building; this enables us to manage physical distancing in the waiting rooms (if you do not receive an invitation after 30 minutes, please call the number on your appointment letter).
If you are arriving by hospital transport, you may come direct to the reception desk. If you are arriving on foot or by public transport, please do not come to the department until you are contacted. If you do not have a smartphone or do not receive a text message, please go direct to the reception desk.

Valuables

Please do not bring any valuables, such as jewellery or watches, especially if your letter says you will need to remove them at your appointment. We cannot accept responsibility for these items, so it is best to leave them at home.

If you need to come on site for your appointment

For further information about directions, parking and other facilities, please visit:

• Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske
• St Michael’s Hospital, Hayle
• West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance

The Trust is undergoing various building works to enhance the services we deliver. Follow this link for information about accessibility to hospital sites during construction Accessibility to hospital sites during construction

Help with transport

If you need help to get to the hospital, there are several community transport schemes available. If you receive Income Support or other benefits, you might also be able to reclaim your travel and parking expenses; for more information visit our Practical help and advice section.

For further information about directions, parking and other facilities, please visit:

• Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske
• St Michael’s Hospital, Hayle
• West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance