Ambulatory care

Our ambulatory care service at the New QEII Hospital provides rapid care, assessment and treatment without the need for the patient to be admitted to hospital.

The service supports and treats patients with a variety of conditions and people can be referred in different ways:

• Referrals from GPs – including for suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), cellulitis which requires intravenous antibiotics and anaemia
• Patients recently discharged from an inpatient stay who need an early review to assess their progress
• Patients from the emergency department (A&E) who do not need to be admitted to an inpatient bed but who need an early review or further assessment
• Patients requiring management of anticoagulation medication before they are seen by a specialist service
• Patients returning for review after their investigations
• Planned procedures such as endocrine tests (including short synacthen tests and day curves), ascitic drains (for fluid in the abdomen), lumbar punctures and peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) care
• Blood or platelet transfusions and infusions of e.g. iron and immunoglobulin

The time you need to spend in the clinic will vary depending on what treatment you need and who you need to see. You will usually have some observations taken when you arrive, such as your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature, before you see the doctor or your treatment starts. You may also need blood tests, and these can take up to four hours. The clinical team who are looking after you will keep you informed throughout your treatment.

The service is open every day:

• Monday to Friday – 8am to 6.30pm
• Saturday and Sunday – 9am to 3pm

To contact the service, call 01707 247567.