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University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Outpatient information

We run outpatients clinics across the Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch hospitals.

Many of these appointments are now offered virtually as video or phone consultations. You can read more about this here.

We are also running an outpatient assessment clinic @ Dorset Health Village in the Dolphin Centre in Poole. Details of that here.

Additionally, in Dorset, our hospitals, GPs, community and mental health providers, and commissioning organisations are working together with the ambition to fundamentally change the way our outpatient services are delivered.

On average nationally, outpatient appointments (where a patient is referred to a hospital but not admitted) account for 85% of all hospital-based activity. Last year, nearly one million outpatient appointments took place in Dorset which equates to approximately 15 million miles in travelling to and from hospital.

You can read more about this exciting project here.

If you have been referred to any of our hospitals you will be sent an appointment letter containing information about your outpatient appointment. This will give you details of the time, date and location of your appointment.

To help us to tackle the large waiting lists caused by the Covid-19 pandemic we routinely contact patients waiting for appointments or procedures. Increasingly, this is by text message (SMS), but can also be by letter or phone call. You can find more information here.

Planning for your care and waiting times

UHD is here for you and doing its best to get you the care you need as soon as possible, while you are waiting for a hospital appointment, operation or treatment, we wanted to let you know that there is more support available to you. The NHS has recently launched the My Planned Care Patient Digital Platform which gives you direct access to the latest average wait time information for your trust, as well as helpful advice and support whilst you wait. We encourage you to look at this site where you may find the information you need before contacting your GP or hospital for an update about any elective procedures you are waiting for. Updated weekly, the site is easy-to-use and is ‘open-access’ so your carer, friends, relatives, and your NHS team can also access this information.

The following are our outpatient clinics.

Contact telephone number - 0300 019 4740 / 0300 019 4738

  • Main Outpatients
  • Bournemouth Diabetes and Endocrine Centre
  • Thoracic
  • Ophthalmology
  • Therapy
  • Oral Surgery
  • Orthopaedics
  • Derwent
  • Christchurch Hospital

Contact telephone number - 0300 019 2823

  • Main Outpatients
  • Outpatient Treatment Centre
  • Ladybird unit (Breast Outpatients)
  • Studland – Dermatology and Rheumatology Outpatients
  • Diabetes centre
  • Harbourside (Gynaecology Outpatients)
  • Oncology
  • Child development Centre
  • Children’s Outpatients
  • Cardio respiratory

When you arrive at the appropriate clinic, you can register at one of the electronic self check-in machines located around the department and in the Main Entrance or speak to the receptionist to let them know you have arrived.

Information for attending the outpatient treatment centre at Poole Hospital

How long will I be?

We hope that you will be seen at your appointment time or within 30 minutes of that time. Occasionally there are unavoidable delays, but the clinic staff will keep you informed. Screens around the department will also advise patients of any delays.

What to bring with you

  • Your appointment letter or card
  • Any letters for your consultant from your GP, district nurse, physiotherapist or other health worker
  • Details of any medication you are taking
  • Money for prescriptions, refreshments and car parking
  • Your diary or calendar, so future appointments or treatments can be arranged if necessary
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