If you are coming to The Kent Oncology Centre as a patient for the first time, you may have lots of questions about what to expect and we want to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible during your care with us. We have put together the following information including what to bring with you, what to expect when you arrive to help prepare you for your visit.
Before your visit
What if I need to change my appointment?
If you can’t keep an appointment, please phone the department you are due to attend as soon as possible. Please tell them if you also have hospital transport booked. Please let registration or another member of staff know if you change your name, address, telephone number, family doctor or contact person (next of kin).
What information should I bring to my appointment?
- Your appointment letter
- Proof of residence
- Information about your allergies or intolerances
What else should I bring?
- Please bring along any prescribed medicine you need to take normally during your visit with us.
- Your time at the hospital might involve long periods when nothing much happens – for example, the waiting time between tests or treatments. Feel free to bring a book or a magazine, games or anything else that might help pass the time. Although there are outlets to purchase food and drink, you can bring your own refreshments with you if you like.
- Please don’t bring very expensive items or large amounts of money with you when coming to the hospital.
Consent
It is important that you feel you have been given enough information before you agree to a particular treatment or procedure. You might be asked to give your spoken consent, and in certain circumstances, you will also be asked to sign a consent form and you will receive a copy of it.
Giving your consent
The health professional must explain the risks and benefits of the treatment or examination, any available alternative procedures and the risks and benefits if you choose to do nothing for the time being. You may also be given some written information about the procedures that are being considered for you. It is important that you understand the information you have been given – ask questions if you don’t understand or if you want more information.
When giving consent to surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, you will usually be asked to sign a consent form. The main benefits and risks associated with the treatment will be written on the consent form before you sign it.
Your treatment plan may involve one or more treatments, for example, surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. You will be asked to sign consent forms for each treatment. Before each treatment starts, you will be asked to confirm that you agree to treatment.
What if I change my mind?
It is important to remember that once you have made a decision about treatment, you can change your mind at any time, even after you have signed a consent form.
Can anyone else give their consent to my treatment?
You are the only person who can give consent; no one else can do this for you. Special arrangements however are made on behalf of adults who lack the capacity to make their own decisions. Parents and legal guardians also able to give consent on behalf of young people up to the age of 18.
Directions, parking and maps
There are a number of ways to get to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals, including by car, bus, train or bike.
Find out more about travelling to our sites and parking.
General information
For further information on visiting our sites such as interpreter services and infection control guidance, please visit our patients and visitors page.