• Reference Number: HEY-718/2020
• Departments: Orthopaedics
• Last Updated: 25 October 2023

Introduction

This advice sheet has been developed to provide guidance on your visit to the Fracture Clinic and the Orthopaedic Outpatient Department to improve your experience.

As you book into the department, please inform the reception if you have arrived by ambulance transport.

Pain Management

It would be advisable to take pain relief medication before your visit. This will not affect the outcome of your examination and may increase your comfort.

When you visit the department, please bring your pain relief medication and any regular medication with you due to large patient numbers and unforeseen circumstances, as long unavoidable waiting times can occur.  If you are diabetic, it is also advisable to arrive prepared with food and regular medication.

Waiting Times

Waiting times may vary depending on the length of individual consultations and variety of treatments required. Some treatments may require multiple visits to the plaster room. Please be aware that additional investigations may occur, such as blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound or CT (Computerised Tomography) scans.  These investigations increase waiting times and it may take up to an hour for some results to be received. Prescriptions may also need collecting from Pharmacy after treatment has been applied.

To accommodate for the above, please allow 2 – 3 hours for appointments and arrange childcare and transport as required.

Please note vulnerable patients will be prioritised and we thank you for your co-operation regarding this.

Additional Notes

Patients are seen in appointment time order, NOT time of arrival. Due to the limited space in the department, please keep accompanying family / carers to a minimum.

Please check with your insurer before driving a vehicle, as you may not be insured if you have a cast or splint and will need to make alternative transport arrangements.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You. www.hey.nhs.uk/privacy/data-protection

If you or your carer needs information about your health and well being and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.