USAIS Appointments
The number of appointments hosted by USAIS increased to over 9,000 during the period from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024. Hannah Turner is our in-house BSL interpreter and she attended the majority of those appointments that required this support. Sometimes, we need to book and pay for BSL and Language interpreters to support the patients who need this. Here are some other facts to consider:
- Children and young people’s appointments are all attended with a rehabilitationist that supports them and monitors their progress, so there are often several people in the appointment.
- There are four soundfield rooms and five other clinic rooms and around 50 clinical staff – some part time – across four regions.
- Patients will usually see clinicians from their regional team.
- Not all rooms are suitable for all appointments,
- Often patients come in for several appointments in one day
- Appointments are booked 6-8 weeks ahead, though cancellation slots can sometimes, but not always, be filled.
- Interpreters will not be booked until an appointment is confirmed.
It’s quite a task for the staff who schedule appoints to work out, which clinicians should be in which room with each patient. They are very good at this.
However, we would like to reduce the number of missed appointments.
We do not want patients to attend appointments if they are unwell. However, if this is not the case you may wish to consider the following:
- If you know you will not be able to attend your appointment, please contact USAIS as soon as possible so that we can schedule in another patient visit and reschedule your date.
- If we need to reschedule your appointment, please let us know of any dates you cannot attend but please give us as many options as possible.
- If driving or public transport is not an option, your GP may be able to arrange Patient Transport or direct you to a local neighbourhood voluntary service. Contact your GP service for more information about this.
- If you cannot get to an appointment in clinic because of poor mobility, or because you are in hospital, please discuss this with us. We will find another way to support you.
- The Royal Voluntary Service offers a transport service for patients with health conditions or mobility issues who struggle to get to their medical appointments. This may not be available in all areas.