Children's ambulatory patient information

Find out what to expect when you come to our children's ambulatory service.

Before your visit

A parent or guardian should attend all appointments if your child is under the age of 16, an older teenager is welcome to bring a relative or close friend to their appointment.

Please remember to bring your child's ‘red book’ to the hospital. In addition, it would be helpful if you could bring the following:

• your full address and telephone number(s)
• your appointment card or appointment letter
• your GP's name and address
• copies of letters from other clinics
• a list of questions you may want to ask your consultant

During your visit

When you arrive please report to the reception desk, where our staff can check your child's personal details to ensure they are up to date.

In the ambulatory unit there can be waits at reception if several families arrive at the same time. Busy times are between 09.30 and 12.00 and after 15.30. We see people in order of urgency so you may have a long wait for a non-urgent problems. Please just ask our staff about waits and delays.

If observation or investigations are needed your child may need to stay for several hours, for an idea of how long the appointment may take please ask the clinic.

Please note that we are a teaching hospital, so medical students may be present for some consultations. If you do not wish to have them in the room please let the nurse or doctor know and the students will be asked to step outside.

On the ambulatory unit, a nurse will see you first, ask some questions about your concerns and check your child's temperature, heart rate and oxygen levels.

A doctor will then ask more detailed questions and examine your child. Observation and investigations might be performed and any necessary treatments discussed with you and your child.

After your visit

A letter will be sent to your child's GP and a copy will also be sent to you. If you have attended without an appointment, a copy will also be sent to your child's school health advisor or health visitor. Most blood test results are available within a week and a member of staff will telephone you with the results.