Other Important Outpatient Information
Screening
To protect all our patients from potential infections, we ask everyone coming into hospital or attending outpatients a number of questions about their health. These questions may include ones about CJD (Mad Cow Disease) and MRSA. Asking these questions doesn’t mean that we think you may have these illnesses. The government requires us to ask these questions to protect all patients, so please don’t worry.
Consent
Many of the treatments and procedures we use do carry some risk. We will talk to you about these risks before we do anything and ask you to sign a consent form that gives us the go ahead to give you your treatment. Only sign this form if you are happy that you understand what is going to happen and the risks involved.
Medication and other treatments
Some of the medicines and treatments we use contain ingredients that come from human or animal sources. If you have any concerns about this, please tell your doctor so that we can tell you if this applies to any medicines or treatments planned for you and discuss alternatives.
Hospital notes and confidentiality
To provide you with the best medical care we need to keep notes of your condition, treatment and progress. We would like to assure you that this information, which forms your medical record, is kept confidential at all times. For more details about how we use your records and what the law allows see the leaflet ‘Information about your health’ which can be found on the NHS Sheffield website www.sheffield.nhs.uk/confidentiality
You also have a legal right to see your medical records. If you wish to do this, please talk to your nurse. Please note that we do charge for making copies of your records. We also make a charge for you to see your records if no new entries have been made in the 40 days before your request.
Teaching at the hospital
As a teaching hospital, we have a responsibility to train future doctors, nurses and other health professionals. This means that students may be present during your treatment and be involved in your care. All our students work under the supervision of a qualified member of staff.
By allowing students to be involved in your care you can make a valuable contribution to their training. If you prefer not to, please tell a member of staff as soon as possible. You have a right to do this, and your decision and will not affect your treatment in any way.
Research at the hospital
Many of the treatments available today have been developed as a result of patients and families taking part in laboratory and clinical research. As a trust we support a range of research activities and you may be asked to take part. You do not have to agree to this and your decision will not affect the treatment you receive. If you would like more information about being involved in research, speak to a member of staff.
Organ donation
Organ transplantation saves and enhances people’s lives. It is often the best or even the only treatment for many patients suffering from disease or failure of a major organ such as the kidneys, liver or lungs. Many patients each year benefit from a transplant, but this depends entirely on the generosity of donors and their families who are willing to consider organ and tissue donation. If you would like more information about joining the NHS Organ Donor Register visit the UK Transplant website www.uktransplant.org.uk or call free on 0300 123 23 23.
Mobile phones
It is our hospital policy for mobile phones to be turned off when entering a hospital ward or department. This is to respect the hospital environment for patients and staff and also to protect patient confidentiality (particularly now that many mobile phones also have camera and video capabilities).
Telephones
Public telephone facilities are available at various points throughout the hospital. Please ask the receptionist in your clinic for directions.
Smoking
All of our hospitals and buildings are completely smoke free, helping to protect the health and wellbeing of our patients, staff and visitors. If visitors do wish to smoke on the grounds we ask them to use the smoking shelters provided around the site.
Zero tolerance
Our staff are here to help you so please treat them with respect. Violent or abusive behavior, either physical or verbal, is not acceptable and will not be tolerated, we will take appropriate action, which may include prosecution.