Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital

St Bartholomew's Hospital FAQs

• How do I get an appointment to see a consultant?
  You would need to see your GP or have a referral from another medical professional such as a physiotherapist, who will then make a referral to see one of our consultants. Please contact the outpatients booking team by calling 0300 131 1433 or emailing outpatientbookings@nuffieldhealth.com for further guidance on your referral.
• How long would it take me to get an appointment?
  Subject to availability, we always endeavour to get patients connected to the right consultant within 1 – 3 working days.
• Can I see a consultant for an appointment after work or at the weekend?
  Our outpatient services operate from 08:00 - 20:00 Monday to Friday. Post-operatively, if a consultant decided they needed to see a patient urgently this would be co-ordinated by our team.
• Can I choose which consultant I wish to see?
  Yes, as a private patient you can choose your consultant. Our teams are best placed to match you with the right consultant.
• Do you offer treatment for children?
  We only provide treatment for patients of 18 years plus. Our sister sites in London (Brentwood, The Holly, and Parkside) can offer appointments for children.
• Would my surgery be conducted by a junior doctor?
  No, our hospital only works with specialists who have had a minimum of two plus years as a substantive consultancy post within the NHS. Therefore, you can be assured of the highest level of clinical care. Your appointments, surgery and follow ups will be conducted by your consultant.
  
  We work with GMC registered healthcare professionals, who have completed a thorough application process.
• What are your hospital infection rates?
  High standards of infection prevention and cleaning at our hospital protects our patients and ensures that their risk of infection is low. We monitor data vigilantly and since our hospital opened, we have had zero healthcare-acquired MRSA, Clostridium difficile and blood stream infections.
• When can my family visit if I’m an inpatient?
  A visit from friends and family can brighten up anyone’s day. That’s why guests are welcome to visit you at Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
  
  Visiting hours are Monday - Friday: 2:00pm - 7:30pm and Saturday - Sunday 10:00am - 6:00pm, unless there are other agreements in place. Please contact the ward to confirm your visiting times. Outside these hours, contact the ward manager or nurse in charge before your visit. Exceptions are based on the needs of the patient.
  
  Two visitors are allowed to visit a patient and can do so at the same time, you do not have to book an appointment. No children below 10-years-old should visit adult wards unless agreed in exceptional circumstances. Sometimes we need to shorten visiting times to protect the welfare and privacy of all our patients. We will let you know if this is the case.
  
  Our inpatient reception is open Monday to Friday 6:30am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm. Out of hours, the security team will assist visitors (the doors are locked, and so you will need to ring the bell). Our outpatient reception is open Monday to Friday 7am-8pm.
• Is there parking available?
  There is chargeable parking located near by the hospital. Directions can be found here.
• Is there accommodation nearby where my family can stay?
  Family may decide they would like to stay nearby the hospital. There is a Premier Inn located opposite the hospital and can be located at: Premier Inn London Farringdon (Smithfield) hotel, 24 30 W Smithfield, London EC1A 9HB.
• I am disabled/require assistance during my visit, who do I need to tell?
  Please let our staff and your consultant know your requirements when you contact us. We are happy to make suitable arrangements before your visit.
  
  We also have accessible entrances and lifts to all floors within the building. Barbican and Farringdon station allow patients wheelchair access from platform to the hospital.
• Services for patients and visitors with visual impairment
  Our staff can help you to get to any relevant areas. We are also able to offer some braille signs and porter escorts.
• Services for patients and visitors with hearing impairment
  For our patients with hearing impairments, please let us know so we can offer a hearing loop.
• Services for patients who require assistance with interpreting
  We can offer a translation service within Nuffield Health provided by thebigword (TBW).
  
  Services provided include face-to-face or telephone translation and transcription arrangements. This service enables us to provide timely translations when required.
• Does your hospital provide multi-faith services to patients and visitors.
  Please ask a member of staff if you would like access to a quiet area for reflection, prayer, or other purposes. Faith resources to support prayer are available upon request. If you would like to be directed to local faith communities or other sources of support during your course of treatment, please ask a member of staff who will work to facilitate this for you.
  
  We are also able to meet any dietary requirements you have. If this is something you require, please advise in advance at your pre-assessment and we will cater to your needs.
• Services for patients who require assistance with interpreting
  We can offer a translation service within Nuffield Health provided by thebigword (TBW).
  
  Services provided include face-to-face or telephone translation and transcription arrangements. This service enables us to provide timely translations when required.
• Are visitor meals available?
  Visitors are welcome to dine with you and order from the daily menu for an extra charge. Just let us know their order before 11.00 for lunch and 16.00 for dinner.
  
  Places located near by Beppe’s Café and 21 West are both located opposite the hospital entrance. There is also a Starbucks and Pret A Manger located on Fleet Street, a short walking distance.
  
  Cinema, restaurants, and other entertainment can also be located within the Barbican Centre, approximately 13 minutes away from the hospital.
• How do I access the chaperone service?
  We understand that for some people, even being in a hospital environment can be uncomfortable. That’s why we provide a chaperone service should you need one.
  
  We have signs in all clinical receptions about the service. Please just ask a member of staff should you wish to have a chaperone for any appointment, and we will do all we can to facilitate this.
• How do I provide feedback on a recent visit?
  When you visit radiology or any of our outpatient clinics, you will be asked to provide feedback on a paper form. If coming if for surgery, you will be sent a form to complete via email.
  
  We strive to provide the best possible service- but if there is something we need to improve, we would like to know so that we can learn and put things right. If a customer provides feedback, it tells us something we might not otherwise know and gives us an opportunity to continuously improve our service. Not only does feedback give us vital information about how our patients feel, but it also allows us to learn and make improvements.
  
  We have also started a Patient Forum which you can sign up to by visiting this link.
• What do I need to bring for an overnight stay?
  Each patient’s room will have en-suite bathroom and hand, body wash and shampoo will be provided.  Body creams should not be used the day of surgery and on non-healed surgical wounds.
  
  You should bring: 

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Shaving equipment for men
  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Denture pot (if you wear dentures)

  
  You should NOT bring:

  • Towels or body flannels. They’ll be provided daily.

  
  The clothing should be light and comfortable. Front-buttoning tops are recommended as it might be challenging to pull clothing over your head because of the surgical wound. Avoid elasticated or restrictive clothing. Non-slip socks will be provided.
  You should bring:

  • If female, non-wired and front fastening bra.
  • Loose pyjamas/night gown

  
  You should NOT bring:

  • Backless slippers

  
  Each patient’s room provides a safe, but hospital management doesn’t take any responsibility for missing or lost items. While you’re having your operation and while you are staying in Intensive Care Unit, we will safely store your belongings on the ward.
  You should bring:

  • Glasses and a hard glasses case
  • Hearing aids and its storage box with spare batteries (the hospital can’t provide hearing aids batteries)

  
  You should NOT bring:

  • Ornamental jewellery (wedding ring is allowed but it’ll be taped during the operation)
  • Large sums of money or multiple bank cards