You are likely to have a number of outpatient appointments with us while we are caring for you.
Outpatient appointments (also known as consultations) are where you can speak to a member of your cancer team about your diagnosis, treatment or something else.
We want to make your outpatient appointments as easy as possible for you. Your appointment could be:
- By video
- By telephone, or
- Face to face (in person) – either at one of our Clatterbridge Cancer Centres or one of our clinics in other hospitals across the region
Your appointment(s) will be with a member of your cancer team – the clinical team who are managing your care. The team will be led by one of our consultant doctors.
Your appointment might be with a range of healthcare professionals including consultants, specialty doctors, nurses, psychologists or allied health professionals such as radiographers, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists or speech and language therapists.
You are welcome to bring a family member or friend with you to any of your appointments if you want.
Your appointment letter will explain:
- What type of appointment you will have
- Who it is with
- When it is (date and time)
- Where it is
It will include contact details for a member of our appointment booking team who can answer any queries you have or change the appointment if you need that.
Your first appointment will be longer than other appointments so there is plenty of time to discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with you. You can ask any questions you have.
If you agree your treatment plan during this appointment, we will get your consent to treatment – this means you agree to have the treatment. We will send you further information (digitally / electronically or on paper) for you to read.
Please make sure you have a list of your current medication at your first appointment so you can give it to the doctor (or other healthcare professional) you are seeing.
You might also find it helpful to bring a list of any questions or concerns that you want to discuss at your first appointment.
Video appointments mean you can see a healthcare professional without having to come to hospital – but with the added benefits of being able to speak face to face.
Find out more about our video appointments using Attend Anywhere.
Your outpatient appointment might take place over the phone. It is very important that we have up-to-date phone number(s) for you. If your contact details change, please tell your consultant’s secretary so we can update your records.
Although we try to phone you as close as possible to the time in your appointment letter, our telephone clinics are very busy and there can be unexpected delays.
That's why we ask that you make yourself available between 9:00am and 1:00pm for morning appointments and 1:30pm and 5:00pm for afternoon appointments.
If your appointment is taking place face to face, this might be at one of our three Clatterbridge Cancer Centres (Aintree, Liverpool, Wirral) or in one of our clinics in other hospitals across the region.
We will try and make any face-to-face appointment in a location that is closest to your home.
Getting there
Visit our hospital location pages for details of our outpatient clinics across Cheshire and Merseyside. They include information about where your appointment is, travel information (including public transport and parking) and useful contact details.
Hospital transport – patient transport services (PTS)
If you are unable to make your own way to an appointment, hospital transport is available if you meet the eligibility criteria. You will need your NHS number to be able to book transport – this can be found on your hospital letters.
Please contact the following providers to discuss further and make a booking:
If your GP is based in Merseyside or Lancashire
Please call the North West Ambulance Service on 0800 032 3240
If your GP is based in Wirral or Cheshire
Please call the West Midlands Ambulance Service on 0345 425 0050
If your GP is based in Wales
Please call the Welsh Ambulance Service on 0300 123 2317
Your appointment letter will explain the exact location of your appointment. It will either ask you to check in at a reception desk or to use one of our self-check-in machines.
When you arrive for your appointment, we will ask you to confirm the information we hold for you is accurate and up to date.
This will include:
- Your address, telephone number(s) and email address
- Details for any next of kin contacts you wish us to hold, and
- Your ethnicity for your patient record
Clatterbridge Private Clinic is part of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust and has units within our Liverpool and Wirral hospitals. Profits from the clinic are reinvested back into the NHS. If you have medical insurance or are considering private care, you might be interested in how they can support your treatment journey. Find out more about Clatterbridge Private Clinic.