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"Getting to this clinic involved a very long walk."

About: Perth Royal Infirmary / Urology

(as the patient),

The new Urology clinic at Perth Royal Infirmary.  My appointment letter stated to check in, firstly, at the main reception desk.  I had no idea, until turning up at that reception desk, exactly where in PRI the Urology clinic was.  The receptionist gave me vague directions and it sounded as if it was a very long way from reception.  As I have severe mobility problems I asked her if it was a long walk  -  she said No !

It was a very long walk, it took me 15 minutes, albeit that I have to walk slowly.

There was no guidance on the appointment letter, warning patients that the clinic is in fact sited in the old hospital building, involving traversing stairs,  two long corridors, then a lift down two floors, then another long corridor.

If I had known in advance where this clinic was located, I would have booked a wheelchair.  

Everyone I met at that clinic in the waiting area was saying the same thing: "Why were we not allowed to enter by the old building main door?" which would have been a much shorter walk.  At the very least, it should be clearly stated on appointment letters, that getting to this clinic involved a very long walk.

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Responses

Response from Stuart Keys, Clinical Care Group Manager, General Surgery, Urology, Vascular Surgery, NHS Tayside 4 years ago
Stuart Keys
Clinical Care Group Manager, General Surgery, Urology, Vascular Surgery,
NHS Tayside
Submitted on 23/12/2019 at 13:48
Published on Care Opinion at 13:48


Dear Vilonia,

Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry for the inconvenience you experienced. We are aware that the walk across the hospital is not ideal, especially for anyone with impaired mobility.

We have directed patients to the main reception because it is staffed during core working hours but you make good points about communicating better that there are alternatives. We will review this after Christmas and see whether we can make changes.

I hope that your appointment went well, aside from the problem with directions. Thanks for taking the time to pass on your feedback.

Kind regards,

Stuart Keys,

Clinical Care Group Manager

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Vilonia (the patient)

Thank you for your response. It is good to know that you intend to review the check in arrangements after Christmas. If there is really no alternative to people reporting first to main reception, then I think appointment letters should emphasise that the urology clinic is sited a long way away.

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