Nurse-Led Liver Disease Telephone Clinic

Why has the telephone clinic been set up?

Often the appointment is a routine follow-up to discuss any clinical symptoms that are causing you concern, to obtain the blood results taken at the GP surgery if you have started a new medication and to see if new medication started is being effective.

This is designed to be more convenient for you and save you on time and travel.

What is a telephone clinic?

Telephone clinics are outpatient appointments conducted by telephone.

The nurse will carry out an assessment to discuss your on-going health issues, side effects and blood results without you having to come to the hospital. So, it is important you are able to speak freely and openly about any concerns that you may have.

As with any other clinic, you will be given your clinic date and time. During your allocated appointment time we ask you to remain close to your telephone and ensure it is not in use. The number we ring is entirely your choice, but we recommend suggesting a number where you feel comfortable talking to us

Is it safe?

The clinic will be staffed by an experienced hepatology nurse for the hepatology department.

The nurse works with the medical team who oversee your care and treatments. They will be able to discuss with the doctors any concerns about your health that may occur as a result of your course of treatment.

How do the clinics work?

You will have an Initial consultation appointment with the medical team. If you have clinical symptoms that require a telephone follow-up, one will be arranged for you. Either an appointment will be given to you on the day of the clinic or sent to you in the post. The number we ring is entirely your choice, but we would recommend suggesting a number where you feel comfortable talking to us.

We will ring you and ask some security questions to ensure we are speaking with the correct person. Due to patient confidentiality issues we will only be able to hold the consultation directly with you, our patient.

What if I am feeling unwell on the day of the appointment?

Contact the number below for the liver disease advice line and inform them that you are due for a telephone clinic appointment. If there is no answer leave a message and the nurse will be informed.

What if no-one rings me?

If you have not received your scheduled phone call within 30 minutes of the time expected, please call 01223 216109 and leave a message the nurse will get back to you.

What if I need bloods taking or a prescription?

We will arrange for any blood tests or prescriptions to be undertaken via your GP. If this is not possible we will ask your GP to refer you to your local hospital for blood tests.

We will ensure we get the results and we will contact your directly if any follow-up is needed.

What if others want to listen to our consultation?

We will need to hold the initial consultation with you, as you are our patient. However, should you have a speaker phone and wish others to listen in on our consultation that is entirely your choice and decision.

Some of our patients prefer others to listen in to help remember what has been discussed.

Who do I contact if I have any concerns?

We always advise you to contact your GP as a first port of call. Your GP will receive a copy of all correspondence, including letters from your telephone consultation so he/she will be fully aware of your current health issues.

You are always very welcome to contact us for advice and information. Please find a list of useful contact numbers on the bottom of this page.

What if I prefer to come to clinic?

The choice is entirely yours at any time throughout this process. The telephone clinic is offered as an alternative for you to choose which option suits you best.If you prefer face-to-face contact with your specialist nurse or consultant, at any given time, you are very welcome to attend outpatient clinics as before. Please ring us to arrange a mutually convenient clinic appointment.

Useful contact details

Liver disease advice line: 01223 216109 (please leave a message if not answered)

For changing appointments please contact our secretary on 01223 216110 (please leave a message if not answered)

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

PALS is here to provide help, advice, support and information and to listen to your suggestions and concerns.

If you, or your relatives or your carers are unhappy with any aspect of your care, or the service you receive while you are attending an outpatient clinic or via the telephone clinic, you or they should speak to a member of the clinic staff as soon as possible. If you feel unable to speak directly to staff, then email PALS or call 01223 216756. They will be able to assist you.

You can ask a friend or relative to speak to us on your behalf, but we must have your permission before we can discuss our personal circumstance with anyone else. Very often problems can be resolved straight away, so please contact us as soon as possible so you can be reassured about any aspect of your care.

The PALS office is open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 (with extended hours when staffing permits).

MyChart

We would encourage you to sign up for MyChart. This is the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals that enables patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospital’s electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or mobile device

More information is available on our website: MyChart