Patients are encouraged to check-in for their Outpatient appointment via the self-check-in kiosks in the Main Entrance of Harrogate District Hospital. Patients need their name and date of birth only to check-in and can check-in using the kiosks up to 90 minutes before their appointment. Volunteers are on hand if you require any assistance. The alternative option is to check-in via the receptionist at the Outpatients check-in desk. You will need to show the receptionist your appointment letter. He or she will check your details are correct and then direct you to the relevant waiting area. We aim to ensure that you are seen as close to your appointment time as possible, but delays can happen for a number of reasons. We will keep you informed of any delays.
What to expect
Before you see the doctor you may be sent for some tests. You will then be asked to take a seat in the waiting area before being called in to see the clinician for a consultation. This is likely to involve a discussion of how to progress your treatment, but occasionally some minor procedures are carried out in the clinic. You may also be sent in for a blood test or an X-ray, which could mean that your appointment takes longer than expected.
Please remember that the hospital staff are always on hand to help, so if you have any queries or don’t understand anything that you’ve been told, please do ask.
At the end of your appointment, you may be prescribed some new medication. This can be collected from the pharmacy at Harrogate District Hospital so if you receive free prescriptions, please ensure you have proof of your exemption with you. There are several pharmacies in Ripon from which you can collect your medication – please see below for further details.
Students
At times, we have trainee and student healthcare professionals working in our teams. This includes medical students, physiotherapy students and student midwives. The opportunity to work in a hospital is a vital part of their training and development, and all students will be supervised by a more experienced and fully qualified member of staff.
If you feel uncomfortable being treated by a student or would prefer to be seen by a qualified healthcare professional, please let us know and we will accommodate your request.
Need an interpreter?
We are able to provide interpreters for spoken language interpretation, either in person or over the telephone, for people whose first language is not English. We can also provide sign language interpreters and deafblind communicator guides if required. Please let us know of any requirements as early as possible.
Chaperone
We are committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment, where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of patients and staff is paramount. We automatically offer a chaperone for certain examinations and investigations. Please contact the department concerned if you have any queries about this.
Pharmacies
If you have been prescribed medicine, you may need to collect these from a pharmacy. Pharmacy staff can tell you about your medicines, so if you are unsure about something, please ask them.
There are currently prescription charges that apply to all medicines. However, if you are entitled to free prescriptions, please bring proof of entitlement with you.
Harrogate-based pharmacies
Harrogate District Hospital has its own outpatient pharmacy which is located on the ground floor, close to the outpatient reception desk. Prescriptions can be dispensed while you wait, or can be collected at a later date if that is more convenient.
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday: 8.45am – 5.30pm
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: Closed
In addition to the main hospital pharmacy, there are a range of pharmacies in Harrogate. Mowbray Square Medical Centre has an in-house pharmacy, and large supermarkets such as Asda and Sainsbury’s offer pharmacy services. Located in the town centre, Boots also has a pharmacy.
Ripon-based pharmacies
Ripon Community Hospital doesn’t have a pharmacy. However, the Day Lewis Pharmacy on Westgate is a three minute walk away. There’s also a pharmacy located in Boots in the Market
See the full list of local pharmacies and opening times.