Internet guided tour reassures patients before treatment

Company news

Jul 08, 2014

Putting patients at their ease before they have even arrived for their operation is one of the aims of Southampton NHS Treatment Centre’s new virtual tour, which will enable them to look round the centre from the comfort of their own homes.

The tour takes patients through the reception area and around the various facilities, so that they can not only take a look at the layout and parking but also see where they would be treated and spend time recovering. It will offer people who travel some distance to be treated at the centre the chance to get to know it without making extra journeys.

The new service showcases the facilities available to NHS patients at the Care UK treatment centre in Brintons Terrace. With around 2,800 people seen every month across a range of specialties - including endoscopy, general surgery, gynaecology, ophthalmology, oral surgery, orthopaedics, pain management, urology and ear, nose and throat - the centre has five state-of-the-art operating theatres, 22 inpatient beds and 40 day places.

Hospital director Paula Friend believes the virtual tour will remove some of the trepidation people experience when attending hospital appointments for the first time.

“We have an excellent team who are very good at putting people at their ease,” she explained. “However, some people feel concerned about the idea of going into a hospital and this is a large, complex building. We want people to be confident and relaxed when they arrive here and the tour gives people the chance to find their bearings before they even step into reception.

“They can familiarise themselves with the operating theatre, consulting rooms, recovery ward, waiting area and reception. We know older people feel reassured that the scale of the centre is manageable, especially if mobility is a problem, and if this is your first hospital visit, I think a chance to look around without any pressure will boost your confidence.

“I also think this tour is helpful for people escorting loved ones for surgery as they can see and get to know the centre ahead of their visit.”

The tour is accessible on the treatment centre website and on Google: search for the Southampton NHS Treatment Centre and click on “see inside” on the right hand side of the screen.