To make the most of your appointment with your GP, hospital doctor or specialist, try to think about the questions you want to ask before you go.
Before your appointment
Before you go for your appointment, it's a good idea to write a few things down, such as:
- the two or three most important questions you want to ask
- a list of all the medicines you’re taking, including any vitamins and supplements
- details of your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them get better or worse
Remember to take these notes with you. You can also take a relative or friend with you to help.
If you need an interpreter or other communication help, let your GP surgery or hospital doctor know in plenty of time so they can arrange this for you.
During your appointment
Always ask questions if you’re unsure of what’s being said. If there are any words you don’t understand, ask for them to be written down and explained.
During your appointment, you may also want to make notes about what is being explained to you. This may be useful in case you need to refer back to what was said.
Before you leave your appointment
Before you leave, check that you’ve covered everything. For example:
- Have you asked all the questions on your list?
- Have you understood everything? If not, ask for it to be explained again.
- Ask what happens next and when. Will you need another appointment?
- Make sure you know who to contact if you have any problems.
After your appointment
Once you leave your appointment, remember to keep your notes safe so you can refer back to them if you need to.
Book any tests that you need and put the dates in your diary or planner. You should also know who to contact in case you have any queries about your appointments.
If you’re expecting some test results, make sure that you fully understand what they mean.
More questions to ask
The above advice is based on information produced by the Department of Health. See questions to ask for more information.
Read the answers to more questions about NHS services and treatments.
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