Information on appointments at the outpatients department at St Paul’s Eye Unit at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital
This page tells you what will happen if your GP refers you to St Paul's Eye Unit Outpatient clinic.
There is information about:
The Outpatients department may be your first point of contact with St Paul’s if you’ve been referred by your GP. There are a number of clinics and treatments delivered here and we see a lot of patients every day.
Most patients attending Outpatients (except glaucoma patients) will need drops into their eyes, so we advise you not to drive to your appointment.
We also hold glaucoma outpatient clinics in the South Liverpool NHS Treatment Centre in Garston. If you would prefer to attend the Garston clinic, please let us know on 0151 706 3964.
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please inform us as soon as possible.
The St Paul's Outpatients Department is located on the Lower Ground of the New Royal Liverpool Hospital.
To get to the New Royal Liverpool Hospital, please click here.
Unless specified in your clinic letter, please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before your appointment time. We aim to keep your waiting time as short as possible, however sometimes there are unavoidable delays due to emergencies, difficult diagnoses and late arrivals. We’ll make every effort make sure you’re seen on time.
Please come to the outpatient reception desk to confirm your personal details as it’s important that we have your correct name, address, phone number, GP and next of kin details. You may need to see an optician, orthoptist or have a field test before you see the doctor. You’ll be directed to the appropriate service as appropriate.
If you are having a visual acuity test, we may need to put drops in your eyes to dilate (open) your pupils so you can be examined by the doctor. It will take 15–30 minutes for your pupils to dilate. You may also have the pressure in your eye checked. You will then see a doctor, which may not be the same doctor on each visit. If you wish to see a particular member of the team, you can ask one of the nursing staff. We’ll try to accommodate your request but it’s not always possible and it may add to your waiting time.
During your consultation the doctor may send you for further tests, which might involve a return visit to the clinic. If the doctor decides that you need surgery, we’ll arrange a have a pre-operative assessment on the day or at a later date.
After your consultation you’ll be given a slip to give to staff at reception. If you require an appointment for a speciality clinic or have to return within six weeks, the receptionist will book your appointment before you leave. If you require a follow-up appointment in a general clinic for more than six weeks’ time, you‘ll be placed onto an outpatient waiting list and contacted by the St Paul’s Eye Unit call centre closer to your due date to.
If you are a cataract patient who requires surgery you may need a biometry (measurement of your eye) and a pre-operative assessment on the same day. You may also be given the date for your surgery before you leave.
If you or the person you care for are experiencing sight loss and need information and support, please contact our in-house Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, Corinna Swift, who can help you with:
You can contact Corinna Monday–Friday, 9am-4.30pm:
Phone: 0151 706 3995
Textphone: 18001 0151 706 3995
Email: corinna.swift@rlbuht.nhs.uk