PATIENTS
Every patient is a person, not a procedure.
At the Ulster Independent Clinic, you’re not just a set of symptoms or case notes. You will always be treated as an individual – one with your own unique healthcare issue and concerns.
That means your treatment and care will be specifically planned solely around you and your needs.
Your Stay Image Gallery
Before admission
Your consultant will book your treatment and stay at the Clinic. About two weeks beforehand you’ll receive written confirmation from us with the details of your admission.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Carefully read all the information provided in the information booklet here.
- If you develop any further health problems before your admission, please check with your GP regarding your fitness for surgery.
- Patients taking Warfarin, aspirin or the contraceptive pill should notify their consultant for advice.
- Continue taking any other medication unless your doctor instructs otherwise.
- Follow instructions regarding the payment for your care. Non-insured patients should read Payment Options section.
- Always follow the fasting instructions.
- Do not plan to drive home after discharge. Ensure you have transport available, or ask us to arrange it for you.
- If you receive or will need Community Support following surgery, notify the Hospital Liaison Sister to discuss arrangements.
YOUR STAY
Admission
When you arrive at the Clinic, go straight to Reception, where we’ll check your details. If necessary, you may then be directed to our accounts department to complete the financial arrangements for your treatment.
Once the administration process is complete, a member of the ward team will accompany you to your private room, where you can settle in.
A member of the nursing staff will ask you about your medical history and will note details such as your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and so on. When the consultant visits you, you may find you’re asked the same questions again. Don’t worry, this is standard practice and is designed to ensure patient safety.
What to bring with you
- nightwear, dressing gown & slippers
- toiletries – towels are provided
- any medication or inhalers you are using – in the original packaging if possible
- any X-rays or scans you have been given
- glasses instead of contacts (if you normally wear them)
- insurance authorisation code (if needed)
- books and magazines to read
Fasting
Your admission letter will clearly state any specific fasting requirements. It’s very important you follow these guidelines before surgery.
Make-up, nail varnish & jewellery
We ask you not to wear any make-up, nail varnish or false nails when you are admitted. Please also remove all jewellery other than a wedding band (including body piercings).
Personal hygiene
Please ensure you’ve had a bath or shower on the day of your admission to hospital.
Valuables
We strongly advise you not to bring large amounts of money, jewellery or other valuables with you as the Clinic cannot be held responsible for loss of or damage to property.
Personal laundry
The Clinic does not provide a personal laundry service. If you are staying for several nights, we advise you to make arrangements with a friend or relative to look after this for you.
You’re our priority
Your care, comfort and peace of mind are paramount for us throughout your time at the Clinic. Your consultant will therefore visit you daily, and no procedure will be undertaken without prior discussion with you.
Consent
You will be asked for written consent before any anaesthetic, surgery or specialised examinations. It’s important you understand everything that is going to happen to you – so don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re not sure about something.
Parents or guardians will be required to provide consent for children under 16.
Your room & facilities
Our private bedrooms are designed to ensure you recover in a restful environment. Each room has an en suite bathroom with walk-in shower. A call system enables you to ask for a nurse at any time. All rooms have satellite television provided at no extra charge and free wi-fi is available in all patient rooms. Mail will be delivered to your room, and to post a letter, just ask one of the ward staff. Hairdressing and chiropody services are available on request.
Note: smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Clinic. If you are a smoker, please speak to the ward sister
Phones
You can keep in touch with family and friends by using the telephone provided in your room. Every patient receives complimentary call credits. Any additional units used may be charged to your account.
Mobile Phones
For most people mobile phones are of course a part of everyday life. However, we also want to ensure maximum privacy and confidentiality for all, and so we ask you to use a mobile phone only in your private room and not in corridors or clinical areas. Please note that mobile phones and other electronic devices must not be used for photographic or recording purposes.
Younger patients
We understand the needs of children and aim to make them feel as comfortable as possible during their stay with us. Parents are welcome to stay overnight with their child and pullout beds can be arranged.
Meals
Eating well is an important part of your recovery. We offer a menu of healthy, freshly prepared meals and snacks throughout the day. There is always a menu choice and the option of a light snack if you prefer. There are also complimentary refreshments located on the ward corridor. Our dietician will help with your food choices if required.
Meal times
8:00 am breakfast
10:00 am mid-morning tea / coffee
12.30 pm lunch
3:00 pm afternoon tea / coffee
5:30 pm dinner
9:30 pm night-time snack
YOUR STAY
Going home
We understand you’ll be keen to get home as soon as possible after your procedure. However, we do advise you to wait until your consultant has decided you’ve recovered sufficiently.
Everyone recovers at their own pace, and your discharge date will be reviewed daily when your consultant comes to see you.
When it is time to go home, you’ll be given the following:
- a letter for your GP about your treatment
- advice about your continued recovery
- a take-home pack of prescribed medication
- any other medication you brought with you into hospital
- an in-patient certificate (if required)
- mobility aids such as crutches and Zimmers can be borrowed (a refundable deposit is required)
- details of your review appointment with your consultant
Day Patients
At our Day Procedure Unit we carry out a wide variety of minor surgical and other clinical procedures that don’t require an overnight stay. The time of admission and discharge is determined by the scheduling of the procedure in Theatre and the appropriate recovery time. If you’re having a general anaesthetic, we like to observe you post-procedure for at least 4 hours.
Preparing for admission
What to bring with you
- any medicine or inhalers you currently use – in the original packaging, if possible
- pyjamas/nightdress
- dressing gown and slippers
- toiletries (towels are provided)
- any X-rays or scans relevant to your admission
What to bring with you - In addition:
- wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing
- we recommend you don’t bring jewellery or other valuables with you
Before you come to the Clinic for a procedure you’ll receive a letter from the consultant with directions about what you can eat or drink beforehand. Please follow these instructions carefully.
Important
If you become unwell before your admission with an unrelated illness – such as a flu, a cold, chest infection, urinary tract infection, diarrhoea or vomiting – contact the Clinic as soon as possible, as we may need to cancel or postpone your admission until you feel better.
Before your operation you’ll have to remove any make-up and nail varnish. False nails may also need to be removed for some procedures.
Consent
We require written consent for any anaesthetic, surgical or specialised examination. So you should make sure that you fully understand what is going to happen to you. Again, if you’re not clear about something, do feel free to ask. Children under 16s should be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who will be required to sign the consent form.
Fasting
Certain procedures will require you to fast before coming to the Clinic. Your admission letter will set out the details about this.
Day Patients
Admission
When you arrive at the Clinic, go straight to reception. We’ll check your details here and, if necessary, you may be directed to the accounts department to complete financial arrangements for your treatment.
Once the administration process is complete, a member of the ward team will accompany you to your private room and let you get settled in.
Your room & facilities
Our private bedrooms are designed to ensure that you recover in a restful environment. Each room therefore has an en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower. A call system enables you to ask for a nurse at any time. All rooms have satellite television provided at no extra charge and free wi-fi is available in all patient rooms.
Note: smoking is not permitted in the Clinic.
Phones
You can keep in touch with family and friends by using the telephone provided in your room. Every patient receives complimentary call credits. Any additional units used may be charged to your account.
Mobile Phones
For most people mobile phones are of course a part of everyday life. However, we also want to ensure maximum privacy and confidentiality for all, and so we ask you to use a mobile phone only in your private room and not in corridors or clinical areas. Please note that mobile phones and other electronic devices must not be used for photographic or recording purposes.
Day Patients
Going home
Immediately after your procedure, you will be able to rest in your private room. Your consultant will decide when you are able to go home. We strongly advise you not to drive yourself, so it’s important you arrange to have someone accompany you.
If your procedure involves sedation or general anaesthetic, you should have a light meal before leaving the Clinic. You should also have a responsible adult stay with you at home for 24 hours after the procedure.
Before you leave
Before you leave the Clinic, we’ll give you the following:
- a take-home pack of prescribed medication
- any medication you brought with you to hospital
- written advice on your continued recovery
- a letter for your GP
If appropriate, a mobility aid such as crutches can be loaned to you. (We require a refundable deposit for this.)
Once you’re home
If you’ve had a day procedure, you may feel drowsy and have some discomfort. We recommend that you do not return to work the same day. Instead, rest quietly at home in a relaxing environment with easy access to telephone and bathroom.
General anesthetics can make you feel dizzy and nauseous. Follow these guidelines for 24 hours afterwards:
- don’t drive or operate machinery
- don’t do anything requiring skill or judgement
- don’t make important decisions
- don’t consume alcohol or take sleeping tablets
If you have any immediate concerns after leaving the Clinic, call us on 028 9066 1212 and speak to the nurse in charge, who will contact your consultant if required.
HOW TO PAY
Payment & insurance
We have long-established relationships with all major UK private health insurance companies. We also offer a small number of fixed-price surgery packages.
If you have private or company-supported health insurance, we may be able to work directly with your insurer. However, it’s very important that you liaise with them before beginning any consultation or treatment.
It’s essential that you obtain a pre-authorisation reference for your proposed treatment, and ensure your policy will cover the costs of treatment before attending. Our staff are happy to assist you with the process if required.
Where a claim form has to be completed, please bring it with you on admission day. Our staff will ensure it is completed and returned to your insurer promptly.
When contacting your insurer regarding a procedure or surgery, please quote the procedure code provided by your consultant.
If there is an excess in your policy, your insurer will tell you. You will be responsible for paying this.
Your consultant surgeon and anaesthetist are self-employed practitioners. As such, they will issue their own fee invoices separately. If these invoices are sent to you, please forward them to your insurer.
Any queries or difficulties regarding Clinic invoices can be addressed by our accounts department staff.
Please refer to each department section of our website for examples of costings for diagnostic tests, treatments and surgical procedures. The charges raised by the Clinic are in addition to your consultant surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees. As self employed practitioners they will raise their own fee invoices.
Invoices will be issued on your discharge from the Clinic, and are due for immediate settlement.
Any queries or difficulties regarding Clinic invoices can be addressed by our accounts department staff.
This is a payment option designed for patients who wish to pay for their procedure themselves, and which guarantees the cost of treatment.
Packages are offered for a number of procedures. The composite fee includes the hospital charges and those of the consultant surgeon and anaesthetist. The fees collected on behalf of the self-employed consultants are paid directly to them.
Where your treatment is to be paid for by a sports club, solicitor, employer or other organisation, you must obtain a letter of authority from the payor accepting full responsibility for the cost of any treatment.
