FAQs
Coming to hospital can be a stressful time, and being prepared can help ease any anxieties you might be feeling about your visit. Our staff are available before, during and after your discharge to answer any questions you might have.
Excellence founded on outstanding patient care. At The Ulster Independent Clinic your care is our priority.
Tel: 028 9066 1212
General
Where is the Clinic - and how do I get there?The Ulster Independent Clinic is on the intersection between the Stranmillis Road and Malone Road in Belfast.
By car from M1 Motorway
- From the M1 take exit at Junction 2 for A55 Outer Ring / Balmoral / Bangor / Newtownards.
- Continue through two sets of traffic lights and under railway bridge and through a third set of lights to Balmoral Avenue.
- Continue along Balmoral Avenue to junction with the Malone Road.
- Take the slip road on the left on to the Malone Road.
- Move into the outside lane in preparation for turning right onto the Stranmillis Road at the lights.
- The Ulster Independent Clinic is clearly signposted on the left.
By car from M2 Motorway
- Follow signposts for the Westlink/M1 from the M2.
- Take the exit at Junction 2 for A55 Outer Ring / Balmoral / Bangor/ Newtownards.
- Continue through two sets of traffic lights and under railway bridge and through a third set of lights to Balmoral Avenue.
- Continue along Balmoral Avenue to the junction with the Malone Road.
- Take the slip road on the left on to the Malone Road.
- Move into the outside lane in preparation for turning right onto the Stranmillis Road at the lights.
- The Ulster Independent Clinic is clearly signposted on the left.
By car from Belfast city centre
- From Queen’s University keep in the left-hand lane.
- Continue uphill to Stranmillis and past Ulster Museum.
- Continue through Stranmillis Village.
- At roundabout, take 3 exit sign posted for M1.
- Continue along Stranmillis Road.
- Ulster Independent Clinic is last entrance on the right just before the traffic lights.
By bus
The nearest bus stop is 5-10 minutes’ walk from the Clinic. From Donegall Square East in the city centre take either number 8A for Stranmillis or numbers 8B, 8C for Malone.
By train
The nearest train station is Botanic Station. It is a 30-minute walk/10 minute taxi journey from the Clinic.
You will need a referral letter from your GP before you make an appointment to see a consultant at the Clinic. Once your GP has referred you, contact us on 028 9068 7444 to make an appointment with a consultant of your choice.
There are over 180 consultants covering a wide range of specialties available for private consultation at the Ulster Independent Clinic. Your GP should be able to advise you on which Consultant would be most suitable for your specific condition.
Waiting times vary but on average you will be able to see a consultant within 7-14 days.
Yes, The Ulster Independent Clinic accepts payment from all major insurance companies. Please feel free to contact our Finance Department on 028 9066 1212, should you have any queries.
You should check that your insurance company is prepared to cover the cost of your treatment before making an appointment with a Consultant. Once you have seen a Consultant and your treatment has been confirmed, you will be given a procedure code from the Consultant. Contact the insurance company with this procedure code and they will issue you with a pre-authorisation reference or a claim form. You will need to bring the pre-authorisation reference or claim form with you to the Clinic. Please note that some claim forms will require a GP signature.
Yes, the Ulster Independent Clinic will send invoices for your treatment and hospital stay directly to your insurance company. However, your Consultant, Surgeon and Anesthetist will send you invoices personally – it is your responsibility to forward these to the insurers for payment.
Your consultant will send you an invoice following your consultation. You should send this invoice to your insurance provider for settlement.
Patients
What do I need to bring for a stay at the Clinic?- Nightwear
- Dressing Gown
- Slippers
- Toiletries – towels are provided
- Any medication you are taking in the original packaging
- X-rays or scans that you have been given
- Books, magazines
Before you come to the clinic for a procedure you will receive a letter from the consultant with instructions about what you can eat or drink beforehand.
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 please contact the clinic as soon as possible as it may be necessary to cancel or postpone your admission until you feel better.
Prior to you operation you will need to remove any make-up and nail varnish, it may also be necessary to remove false nails for some procedures, you should clarify this with a member of the Clinic nursing team. You should leave your jewellery at home where possible, although you will be able to wear a wedding band in theatre if you wish.
Yes, fresh towels are provided daily.
You should not drive after a day procedure, it is important that you make arrangements for a family member or a friend to drive you home.
If you have any immediate concerns after discharge please call the Ulster Independent Clinic and speak to the Nurse in Charge who will contact your consultant if required. Tel: 028 9066 1212
Visitors
What are visiting times?The most suitable times for visiting patients are:
10.00am – 12 noon
3.00pm – 5.00pm
7.00pm-9.30pm
Mobile phones must only be used in the privacy of private rooms, they are not permitted in the public areas.
Can I bring a child to visit a patient?Children are welcome to visit patients, we have a selection of books and toys located in each ward corridor that can be borrowed.
Can I bring flowers?Yes, you are welcome to bring flowers.
Departments & Services
MRI - what is it and how does it work?MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a scanning technique that uses a strong magnetic field rather than X-rays. During a scan, radio waves generate tiny signals within the body. A computer converts these signals into images, which are used for diagnosis.
You’ll need to be referred either by your consultant or GP for an MRI scan. Once the referral has been made, the Clinic to arrange your appointment. Your radiographer will advise you on any special preparations such as fasting before you arrive at the Clinic.
No. MRI is a safe and painless procedure, but may not be suitable for people who have or wear:
- heart pacemaker and pacing wires
- spinal cord or brain stimulators
- eye or ear implants
- metal fragments in the eye
- brain aneurysm clips
- drug infusion pumps
- magnetic breast tissue expanders
If any of these apply to you, notify the MRI department ahead of your appointment.
When you arrive, you’ll be asked to do several things:
- fill out a safety questionnaire and registration form
- remove all jewellery (except wedding ring) and any metal dentures
- change into a gown (depending on the examination)
Note: please let the radiographer know if you suffer from claustrophobia.
- The area that is to be scanned is positioned in the centre of the scanner.
- You will have to remain very still throughout the examination.
- About 5% of examinations require an injection to help get a good image of the area.
- The time it takes varies from person to person and the area that is being scanned.
- Don’t worry if the scan takes longer than anticipated – this does not mean that there is something wrong.
- The Radiographer will be outside the room whilst the scanning is taking place but is in contactable via the CALL button and intercom.
The Radiographer will not give you any results on the day of scan. A Consultant Radiologist who specialises in reading scans and X-Rays will report on your scans. The report will be sent to the Consultant who requested the MRI scan within one week of the scan. You should contact your Consultant with enquiries about the scan results.
An X-ray is a picture produced when a short burst of radiation is passed through the body. The amount of radiation used is very small and poses little risk to health.
You’ll need to be referred either by your consultant or GP for an X-ray. You can then contact the Clinic to arrange your appointment. Your radiographer will advise you about any special preparations to make ahead of the X-ray, including whether you need to fast.
It’s quite straightforward. The radiographer will ask you to lie, stand or sit (depending on the body part to be X-rayed). You’ll be asked to remain very still during the process. You may have several different images taken.
The Consultant Radiologist will let the Consultant who has referred you for X-Ray know what the images show.
If you’re pregnant or think you might be, let the radiographer know before the X-ray is taken.
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The Ulster Independent Clinic is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland. Registered number: NI 12066. Registered office: 245 Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5JH.
Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC103565