Patient information

Neurology

Find out what to expect when you come to hospital for your neurology appointment.

Before your appointment

You are welcome to bring a relative, close friend or carer with you to your appointment. You are also welcome to request a chaperone – please call before your appointment to arrange for this. Please bring your appointment letter and a list of medications you are taking to your appointment.

During your appointment

Please note that we are a teaching hospital, so medical students may be present for some appointments. 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.

Appointment slots range from five minutes to 60 minutes depending on your needs. At your appointment, the consultant will take your medical history and carry out an expert assessment. The consultant will then discuss the findings with you and fill out an outcome form, which you will be asked to take to the reception desk on your way out.

The outcome form will either ask you to return for a follow-up appointment in the future (perhaps following a diagnostic test) or you will be discharged from the consultant's care. You may also be referred for some tests either during the appointment or after the appointment. These tests may occur on the same day or on a future date that is convenient for you.

After your appointment

After your appointment, you may be discharged back to GP care if no further investigations or action are needed, or if ongoing treatment can be supervised in primary care.

Alternatively, you may be referred for diagnostic tests and asked to come back for a follow-up appointment, at which time the results of these tests would be discussed with you together with a treatment plan. If treatment is initiated, you will likely receive follow-up care to monitor your treatment.