North Staffordshire Hospital

North Staffordshire Hospital FAQs

Opening And Operation Hours

• What are your opening hours?

  We are open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, on Fridays and 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays.

• What are your telephone opening hours?

  Our phone lines are open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday and closed on weekends and bank holidays.

On-Site Facilities

• Do you have a pharmacy on-site?

  Yes. Our pharmacy is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

• Do you have on-site parking?

  Yes. Our car park is completely free and accessible for all patients – with disabled parking provided at the front of the building.

• Do you have disabled access?

  Yes. We provide disabled parking at the front of the building and can provide multiple accessibility features, such as a hearing loop, large print forms, disabled toilets and wheelchair loans and access. Please speak directly with one of our Front of House team members on arrival and they will be able to assist you further.

Patient Queries

• What do I need to bring to my initial appointment?

  For everything you need to know before your appointment, click here to navigate through our beneficiary hub

  We recommend that you take some time to familiarise yourself with our hospital location & parking availability.

  Upon arrival you will be checked in for your appointment and asked to read and sign our Terms & Conditions form.

  If you haven’t already provided a card swipe, you will be asked for this when you arrive at reception. For information on why we require a card swipe and how your card is used, please click here.

  If you haven’t already provided us with a copy of your GP referral, we advise that you bring this with you to your appointment and allow enough time for the Front of House team to scan and upload this onto our systems.

• What happens after my initial appointment?

  Your consultant may recommend that you have additional tests to confirm the best course of action for you. Please bear in mind that this may add time to your appointment and that the cost of additional tests is not included within your initial consultation fee.

  You may be advised to book further treatment and, if so, your consultant will inform you of the next steps. If you are funding your treatment yourself, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the Nuffield Health Promise. We also have monthly payment options available through Chrysalis Finance to allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.

• What should I expect if I’m having a procedure in Outpatients?

  When you arrive at Reception, our Front of House team will direct you to the Outpatients Department. You will be with us for approximately 1 hour and we advise all patients to get a lift home following a procedure. Toilet and refreshment facilities are available should you wish to have someone wait at the hospital for you whilst the procedure is taking place.

• What do I need to bring to my pre-assessment appointment?

  We do not have access to your NHS records, so please bring a copy of your GP summary with you to your Pre-Assessment appointment. This information is essential for us to care for you safely and effectively whilst you’re with us. Please speak directly with your GP to gain access to this information.

• What key things do you need to remember ahead of your surgery?

  Along with your confirmation of your surgery date, you will receive either a letter or an email indicating all the things you need to bring and remember ahead of your surgery.

  You may have up to three appointments ahead of your surgery so please read letters and emails carefully and if you have any questions surrounding your surgery or these appointments, please contact us on 01782 432227, selecting Option 1, followed by Option 5.

  You must remember to follow the fasting instructions provided and if you are taking any form of HRT, contraception, or blood thinners, please contact us on 01782 432227, selecting Option 3 to discuss with one of our teams on site, as this could impact on your surgery.

• Do I need to fast before my surgery?

  Fasting instructions vary depending on the type of anaesthetic you are having. For procedures under local anaesthetic, you do not need to fast. For procedures under general anaesthetic or sedation, you must fast for six hours ahead of your admission time and then only drink water until two hours before your admission.

• What are your rules around visiting patients on the ward?

  We welcome visitors every day, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, but ask where possible to visit from 2:00 PM onwards to allow for essential care in the mornings. We allow two visitors at a time and patients may be accompanied by one other upon admission to the hospital. We do allow gifts, but all flowers must be in a self-contained box or vase. To contact the ward, please call 01782 432 227 and select option 3, followed by option 1.

• How do I get an appointment to see a consultant?

  You do not need a referral to see a consultant, but we advise sending one to us in advance via email or bringing it along to your appointment if possible.

• How long would it take me to get an appointment?

  We endeavour to ensure all private patients will be seen within a week and at a time that is convenient for you. Our appointments are designed to be flexible around your needs and activities.

• Can I see a consultant for an appointment after work or at the weekend?

  Our outpatient services operate from 08:00 until 20:00 from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 until 18:00 on Fridays and 08:00 - 14:00 on Saturdays. Post-operatively, if a consultant decided they needed to see a patient urgently this would be co-ordinated by our out-of-hours team. The hospital is open 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year for our patients’ convenience.

• Can I choose which consultant I wish to see?

  Yes, as a private patient you can choose your consultant. A full list of our available consultants at Nuffield Health North Staffordshire Hospital can be found here.

• Do you offer treatment for children?

  We do not offer treatment for children.

• Would my surgery be conducted by a junior doctor?

  No, our hospital only works with consultants and therefore you can be assured of the highest level of clinical care. Your appointments, surgery and follow ups will be conducted by your consultant.

• What are your hospital infection rates?

  Nuffield Health North Staffordshire Hospital is vigorous in its cleaning standards and keeping our hospitals clean and free of MRSA and C.difficule is a top priority. As a result, the risk of infection to patients is very low.

• Is there accommodation nearby where my family can stay?

  There are hotels available local to our hospital. Please speak with a member of our bookings or enquiries teams who will be able to advise you further.

• I am disabled/require assistance during my visit, who do I need to tell?

  Please let our staff know your requirements when you contact us. We are happy to make suitable arrangements before your visit. If you’d like to bring a friend or family member, please feel free to do so.

• Services for patients and visitors with visual impairment

  • Braille signage has been installed in the passenger lift and on the disabled lavatory door at reception
  • Most of the hospital areas include features recommended by the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)
  • Staff will be happy to talk through brochures with you

• Services for patients and visitors with hearing impairment

  Hearing induction loop systems are provided at reception for the assistance of patients and visitors with hearing impairments.

• Services for patients who require assistance with interpreting

  We can provide telephone interpreting services through The Big Word. Please let us know if you require assistance with this.

• Are visitor meals available?

  Your visitors are welcome to dine with you and can choose from our daily menu. Orders for dinner should be provided to the ward serving staff by 4pm.

  Please note that visitors’ meals are chargeable, and these will be added to your room account unless you advise otherwise.