If you have an appointment at one of our hospitals but do not need to stay overnight, this means you are being treated as an outpatient or a day patient. You may be attending the hospital for an appointment for treatment, diagnosis or a procedure.
Before your appointment, you will receive a letter, email or text message from us that includes everything you need to know about your appointment.
You may be offered a face-to-face appointment at the hospital, or a telephone or video appointment.
Viewing your hospital letters online
You can access your outpatient appointment letters via our new Patient Portal, My Alex Health.
Outpatients can easily view and download their hospital outpatient appointment letters and follow-up appointment letters via My Alex Health. The letters can be viewed online via a smartphone, tablet, computer or device, at any time, once a patient has registered to use it.
How do I sign up to My Alex Health?
You need to register to start using My Alex Health on your phone, laptop, tablet or PC.
If you have an appointment, you will receive a test from “NHS PAHT” asking you to register for My Alex Health to view your appointment details.
Or you can register now here.
Please note: when you register with My Alex Health, there may not be any appointments for you to view if you are not currently under the care of the hospital.
How do I view my hospital letters?
Once you have created an account for My Alex Health (details above), you will receive a text message with the link to register, view your outpatient appointment letter or appointment follow-up letter.
The text message will be sent from “NHS PAHT”. Please be assured that this is a real message and is not a scam message.
Will I still receive my hospital letters by post?
If you choose to use My Alex Health, you will receive all hospital letters via the portal, and you will not receive a paper copy.
If you decide not to sign up to the portal (i.e. not click on the link from the text that is sent), we will send your outpatient appointment letters to you by post.
If you have opened your digital letter and would like a printed copy, you can either print the letter from within My Alex Health or request a printed copy from PAH via Settings.
Electronic consent for treatment or a procedure
We use an electronic consent system (eConsent) which enables patients to see information about their treatment and provide their consent online.
The system uses a secure link sent by email and/or text message. Patients can also consent for procedures using a computer or tablet. If patients do not have a device at home, they can also give their consent online during an appointment or on the ward.
Arriving for your outpatient appointment
Please be aware that outpatients’ appointments take place across all of our sites: The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping and Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford.
On your appointment letter it will state what hospital you need to go to and more information about how to get to your appointment.
On arrival
Checking in at the clinic
When you arrive, please check in at the outpatients’ reception desk. The receptionist will ask you a few questions to confirm your identity, such as your date of birth, your GP, address and phone number.
We may ask if your address or phone number has changed to make sure we have the correct contact details for any correspondence we may send to you.
Once you have checked in, you will be asked to take a seat in the appropriate waiting area.
Waiting for your appointment
We appreciate your patience if there are any delays – our people will always keep you informed. If you would like to talk to someone about your appointment, please speak to the receptionist or clinic nurse.
People are seen in order of their appointment time, not in order of their arrival. In exceptional circumstances, some appointments may be prioritised if clinically urgent.
What happens?
You will meet a member of the consultant led team for your appointment – it may not always be necessary for you to meet a consultant.
After your appointment
Prescriptions
If the doctor decides that new medication is required for treatment, in most circumstances, you will be given a prescription for a minimum of one week’s supply, which you should take to your local pharmacy. There is a standard prescription charge per item. After this time, you will need to get a further supply from your GP. There are some exceptions to this, if your medication can only be supplied by the hospital. In these circumstances, the doctor will explain to you what to do.
Please also remember that your regular repeat medication must always be obtained through your GP.
Follow-up appointments
If you have been given a follow-up appointment, please be aware, if your appointment is in:
Under six weeks: You must return to the outpatient reception desk after your appointment to book in your next appointment. A letter will be sent confirming this appointment.
Over six weeks: A letter will be sent to you asking you to book your appointment.
Pharmacies
The pharmacy at The Princess Alexandra Hospital is located on the ground floor in the main building, Zone B, location B24.
Pharmacies in Harlow:
Harlow Pharmacy: Wych Elm, Harlow, CM20 1QR
Medicare Pharmacy: 1 Sumners Hatch, Harlow, CM19 5RD
Well Pharmacy: Market House, Essex, CM20 1BL