Frequently Asked Questions about our Trust

Updated 20 March 2013

Sections

question mark

I have an enquiry about treatment

I'm looking for a patient

I want to send flowers

I'm looking for staff or a department

I'm looking for something

I'm looking for family history information

Tell me about recruitment or being a volunteer

Tell me about making a work experience request

I want to contribute to the Keogh Review.

I have other questions

I have an enquiry about treatment

I have an enquiry about my hospital appointment
To change, rearrange or cancel your appointment, please email:

Alternatively, our Contact Centre (Appointments Office) can be phoned for advice during office hours on 01206 747576.

I was referred to one of your hospitals but haven't heard when my appointment will be
Your GP should be able to keep you informed about the appointment as your GP is your point of contact with the hospital in these situations. Or try emailing PALS@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk

How can I find out about waiting times at your hospital?
Have a look at the National NHS Choices website for the info you require. The information on this website does not tell you precisely how long you will have to wait as this can depend on a number of factors. It does not give waiting times for urgent appointments/admissions either.

How can I contact your Patient Advice & Liaison Service?
See our PALS page.

I need treatment now. Is there a Walk In Centre nearby?
Yes. North Colchester Healthcare Centre. And here is some general information about NHS Walk In Centres.

How can I register with a GP?
If you are living in an area for more than three months you should register with a local GP.
Contact your local Primary Care Trust (PCT) who deal with these enquiries.
For instance, NHS North East Essex

I'm visiting the UK. Will I have to pay for treatment?
Not every NHS treatment in England is free of charge. There are, for example, charges for dental treatment and, for non-UK residents, charges for hospital treatments. If you are an overseas visitor to the UK you may be charged for some treatments and, depending on how urgent it is, you will usually have to pay in advance.Information for overseas visitors to the UK.

I've been living outside the UK for more than 3 months. Will I have to pay for treatment?
Yes, you may have to pay for hospital treatment whilst here. Information for overseas visitors to the UK.

I have a sexual health problem
Please go to our genitor-urinary (sexual health) section for further advice.

I'm looking for a patient

I want to phone a ward
If possible try and phone the patient direct via their PatientLine personalised number - see below. Our wards are listed here: Colchester General Hospital Ward List
Essex County Hospital Ward List

Can I phone the patient on their mobile phone?
No. Mobile phones cannot be used on the wards as they can interfere with medical equipment. There are some areas, mainly in the public corridors, where signs state that mobiles can be used near that sign.

I want to phone a patient direct using PatientLine
If you don't know the personalised phone number of a patient in our hospital, call PatientLine for free on: 0845 414 1234.

I want to send an email message to an inpatient
Send a message to an inpatient at either of our hospitals.

I want to send flowers to a patient
Check with ward staff about patients having cut flowers by the bedside. Often, vases with water in them can be a hazard as they can get in the way of clinical equipment. Also, some patients on certain wards have respiratory problems which could be made worse by pollen. An attractive alternative is a pot plant or silk flowers. Use a search engine such as Google and type in "flowers uk" for a list of companies that will deliver flowers, pot plant or silk flowers to the hospital. They will need the hospital's postcode:

I'm looking for staff or a department

What are our main department's phone numbers?

Visit our page about Rearranging or canceling your appointment which includes our main department's phone numbers.

What is the email convention if I want to email a member of your staff?
It is: firstname.surname@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk

I want the phone number of a member of staff or department
Call switchboard day or night on 01206 747474.

I want to contact a hospital social worker
You can contact a social worker through our Hospital Assessment Team (formerly known as the Discharge Team.) Phone 01206 742243 or 742242 or 742678.

I want information about a consultant
Please email our Medical Personnel Manager
bernadette.o'hara@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk

For Accounts Payable Department, please click here

I want to make a donation to the hospital
Visit our Charitable donations.

I wish to complain
Visit the Complaints section.

I want need to contact other staff not detailed above
Please email: info@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk

How can I register with a GP?
If you are living in an area for more than three months you should register with a local GP.
Contact your local Primary Care Trust (PCT) who deal with these enquiries.
For instance, NHS North East Essex

How can I contact a governor or board director?
Go to these pages to find out more about governors or board directors.

I'm looking for something

Where are our hospitals?
To find out how to get to our hospitals click below:

I'm looking for a document
For the latest annual report, Trust magazine, or summary business plan email: info@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk

I'm researching my family history. My relative was born/ treated/ died at your hospital
Although some of our hospitals are quite old our record retention policy means we do not keep any medical/healthcare records beyond a maximum of 25 years. This is all explained in detail in our Freedom of Information web pages. See question below also.

I need to access my patient records
Go to the Health Records section of our website

Recruitment or being a volunteer

Recruitment and careers questions are answered here along with a all our current vacancies.

We are grateful to people when they volunteer us their time. Please contact our Family Carer & Volunteer Support Officer, Lucy Archer: Lucy.Archer@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk. Her telephone number is: 01206 744006 during office hours. Lucy is also the person to contact for work experience requests.

Other Questions

None of these are the question I want to ask!
Email your question to: info@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk and we'll do our best to answer it.