Understanding Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust: Care, Services, and Hospitals

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) is a major NHS provider serving Nottingham and communities across the wider region. It delivers a broad range of hospital-based care, from urgent and emergency treatment to planned procedures, diagnostic tests and specialist services. Its scale and range of expertise mean that patients may attend the Trust for routine care as well as treatment for complex or serious conditions.

NUH operates two principal hospital sites: Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) and Nottingham City Hospital. Together, they provide services for people with varied health needs and at different stages of life, including care for children, adults and older people. The hospitals also support specialist clinical work, teaching and research, alongside the day-to-day services patients and families rely on.

The Trust’s role extends beyond individual hospital appointments. Care often involves coordination with GPs, community health teams and other NHS or social care organisations, particularly when patients need ongoing support before or after a hospital visit. Depending on the condition, a person may be referred by a healthcare professional, attend through an urgent-care route or receive follow-up care arranged by a hospital team. The appropriate pathway can differ between services, so patients should follow the instructions provided for their own referral or appointment.

Services, referral arrangements and access details can change as clinical needs and operational plans evolve. Opening hours, clinic locations, eligibility criteria and the way an appointment is organised may also vary across departments and sites. Before travelling, arranging a referral or planning a visit, check the latest information published by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust or contact the relevant service directly. This helps patients confirm where to go, what to bring and whether any specific instructions apply. The Trust’s current guidance is the most reliable source for practical details, while a GP or care team can advise on suitable routes into care.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) provides hospital-based care across two principal sites in Nottingham: Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) and Nottingham City Hospital. Each is a large campus with its own buildings, clinical teams, and patient facilities. Together, they form a connected care network, supporting a wide range of services for local communities and people referred from further afield. Their roles are complementary, but the sites are not interchangeable; care is organised around the needs of each service and the facilities available at its location. The hospitals also work alongside community and specialist pathways to coordinate assessment, treatment, and follow-up.

QMC is a major teaching hospital and a key centre for urgent and emergency care. Its campus includes an emergency department and a range of inpatient and outpatient services, as well as facilities connected with the University of Nottingham. Nottingham City Hospital is another substantial hospital site, with its own wards, clinics, and specialist services. The Trust allocates services across the two campuses according to clinical requirements, staff and equipment, and how different parts of a patient’s care are organised. As a result, a service provided by the Trust may be located at one site rather than duplicated at both. Patients should check the location for their particular appointment instead of assuming that a department operates from the nearest or best-known hospital.

For patients and visitors, knowing which campus to attend can make a practical difference to travel plans and arrival times. Clinic appointments, tests, procedures, and follow-up visits may take place at different sites, and some services may use more than one location. Appointment letters and messages from the Trust should therefore be checked carefully for the hospital name, department, building, and any arrival instructions. Directions can change, so consult current travel and site information before setting out, especially when visiting an unfamiliar campus. If details are unclear, contact the department using the information provided with the appointment. Checking in advance helps people reach the right place and allows time to find the relevant entrance, reception, or clinic within a large hospital site.

Understanding the difference between emergency, urgent and planned hospital care can help patients choose an appropriate route for support. Emergency departments are intended for serious injuries and illnesses that need immediate assessment, including conditions that may be life-threatening or could rapidly worsen. Examples include severe breathing difficulties, suspected stroke or heart attack, major injuries, or significant bleeding. In an emergency, call 999 or attend an emergency department; do not delay seeking help while trying to arrange a routine appointment.

Not every health concern requires emergency department care. If a problem needs attention soon but is not immediately life-threatening, NHS 111 can provide advice and direct patients to a suitable service. Depending on the circumstances, this may be a GP practice, an urgent treatment centre, a pharmacy, or another local service. Primary care teams can assess many new or ongoing concerns and arrange further care when needed. Choosing the right service can help patients receive timely support and keep emergency departments available for people with the most serious needs.

Planned care follows a different pathway. A referral may lead to an outpatient appointment, diagnostic tests, hospital admission, or a procedure, depending on the patient’s needs. Some appointments involve a consultation only; others include investigations such as scans or blood tests to inform decisions about treatment. Patients receiving care through Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust should follow the instructions given for their particular pathway, including details about appointment times, preparation, medication, fasting, and what to bring. If circumstances change or instructions are unclear, they should contact the relevant team using the details provided. Following pathway-specific guidance helps appointments and procedures proceed safely and supports appropriate coordination between hospital services and other healthcare providers.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust provides a broad range of specialist care, drawing on clinical teams, diagnostic services and treatment facilities across its hospital sites. As a large teaching trust, it supports patients with both common and complex conditions, and its services may involve collaboration between consultants, nurses, therapists and other healthcare professionals. The examples below illustrate areas of expertise; they are not a complete directory of every service available.

Specialist provision includes cancer care, with assessment, treatment and support delivered through relevant clinical teams. Cardiac services address heart conditions, while neurosciences cover disorders affecting the brain, spine and nervous system. The Trust also provides maternity and neonatal care for families, alongside children’s services tailored to younger patients. Trauma services assess and treat serious injuries, and specialist surgery is available for a range of conditions. Within each area, care may include diagnostic tests, consultations, procedures, rehabilitation or follow-up, depending on individual needs and clinical advice.

These services do not necessarily operate as separate pathways. Teams may coordinate across departments and hospital sites so that investigations, specialist opinions and treatment can be arranged as part of a patient’s care. The appropriate pathway depends on factors such as diagnosis, urgency, age and individual circumstances. Some services require a referral from a GP or another clinician, and eligibility or referral criteria can vary by specialty. Patients should therefore confirm current service details, locations and access arrangements directly with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust or with the clinician making the referral. Information can change as services develop, so checking up-to-date guidance is important before attending an appointment or seeking a particular specialist service.

A patient journey at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust may begin when a GP or another healthcare professional refers someone to a hospital service. Depending on the specialty and the information provided, the patient may receive an appointment, be asked for further details, or be placed on a waiting list. People who need urgent help may instead arrive through an emergency department or be directed to an appropriate urgent care service. The route into care, and the time involved, can vary according to clinical need and individual circumstances.

At an appointment or urgent presentation, staff typically establish the reason for attendance, review symptoms and relevant history, and decide what assessment is needed. This may include a physical examination, blood tests, imaging or other investigations. Triage helps identify the level of urgency, but it does not always provide an immediate diagnosis. Once results and clinical findings have been considered, the care team discusses the diagnosis, explains available options and agrees a treatment plan with the patient where possible. Treatment may take place during the visit, require a later appointment, or involve care from another service.

Follow-up depends on the condition and the response to treatment. It may involve a review appointment, further tests, rehabilitation, advice for self-care, or communication with a GP or community team. Patients can help appointments run smoothly by bringing appointment letters or messages, a current list of medicines and doses, details of allergies, and relevant medical history. It can also be useful to write down questions, symptoms and any changes since the referral. If instructions about preparation, attendance or medication are unclear, contact the service named in the appointment information before the visit. Patients should also tell the appropriate team if their circumstances change, they cannot attend, or symptoms worsen; for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical help. These steps support clear communication, while the exact pathway remains tailored to each person’s needs.

Patient-centred care means treating each person with respect, compassion and consideration for their individual circumstances. At Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, patients should be involved in decisions about their care wherever possible, rather than being expected to accept a plan without discussion. Clinicians should listen to concerns, take preferences and beliefs into account, and explain how these may affect available choices. Shared decision-making can help patients understand the benefits and limitations of different options and decide what matters most to them.

Clear communication is an essential part of safe care. Staff should explain a diagnosis, proposed investigations or treatments, potential benefits and risks, and the next steps using language that patients can understand. Patients can ask questions, request an explanation in different words, or check their understanding before making a decision. It may help to write down questions in advance. Where appropriate, patients can ask a family member, carer or advocate to join a conversation or support them in expressing their wishes.

Communication needs vary. Patients who need another language should tell the care team so that interpreting support can be arranged; relying on relatives to interpret sensitive or complex information may not be suitable. Information may also need to be provided in an accessible format, such as large print, easy-read materials or another format that meets a disability-related need. Reasonable adjustments could include extra time, support with communication, or changes to the environment. Raising these requirements early can help staff plan appropriate support.

Privacy and dignity should be respected during discussions, examinations and treatment. Staff should explain what will happen, seek consent, and protect personal information. Culturally sensitive care includes listening without assumptions and considering relevant preferences, practices or concerns. Every patient’s situation is different, so it is important to tell the care team about individual needs, worries or communication preferences. If something remains unclear or a patient feels their needs have not been addressed, they can ask to speak with a clinician or ward staff member and request further support.

Before travelling, check that your appointment is at the correct hospital site and that you know the department, building and entrance to use. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust provides care across more than one site, and similar services may be based in different locations. Read your appointment letter or message carefully, including any instructions about check-in, fasting, preparation, or arriving at a particular time. If the location or directions are unclear, contact the department using the details provided rather than assuming where to go.

Plan your journey with enough time for traffic, public transport delays, finding the right entrance and making your way through the hospital. Transport options, parking availability and charges, public transit routes, and accessible drop-off points can differ by site. These arrangements may also change, so check the Trust’s current travel and visitor guidance before setting out. If someone is accompanying you, review any current visitor arrangements and ask the department whether they can attend, especially where specific clinical or operational rules may apply.

Bring your appointment information, any requested identification, and a current list of medicines, including doses and allergies. If you use inhalers, mobility aids or other essential equipment, bring them unless your care team has advised otherwise. For a hospital stay, follow instructions about what to pack and whether to bring medication in its original packaging. Keep contact details for the relevant team available in case you are delayed or need to rearrange your visit.

Contact the department in advance if you need help with mobility, communication, interpreting, hearing or vision, or another aspect of access. Staff can advise what support is available and whether arrangements should be made before arrival. Do not rely on information from an old letter or an unofficial travel listing when plans may have changed. Checking up-to-date Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust guidance and confirming details directly can make arrival more straightforward and help the team prepare for your needs.

Patient safety and continuous quality improvement are central to care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Teams work to reduce avoidable harm through measures such as hand hygiene, appropriate use of protective equipment, cleaning protocols, and monitoring for infections. Medicines are prescribed and administered with attention to allergies, existing treatments, and possible interactions. Patients can help make prescribing safer by giving staff an accurate account of medicines, supplements, allergies, and previous reactions, and by asking for clarification if instructions are unclear.

Care also depends on timely clinical review and clear communication between professionals. Staff assess changes in a patient’s condition and may adjust a care plan as new information becomes available. Patients and those supporting them can contribute by sharing relevant health information, following agreed instructions where possible, and telling staff promptly about worsening symptoms, unexpected effects, or practical difficulties with treatment. These conversations can help teams identify risks and respond appropriately. Patients should raise urgent concerns directly with the staff caring for them rather than waiting to provide feedback later.

Learning from incidents, concerns, and positive feedback helps the Trust review services and identify opportunities to improve. Patients who wish to comment on their experience can use the Trust’s current patient experience and feedback routes, described on its official website. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) may be able to listen to concerns and explain available options; a formal complaint can be made through the Trust’s complaints process if a patient wants the matter considered that way. Contact details and procedures may change, so check the latest guidance. When sharing feedback, include relevant dates, locations, and details while avoiding unnecessary personal information about others. The Trust will consider concerns through its applicable processes, but the steps taken and any outcome depend on the circumstances. Raising an issue respectfully and as soon as practicable can help staff understand what happened and what matters to the patient.

For the latest information about Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust services, hospital locations, clinic arrangements, and changes to appointments, use the Trust’s official website. Service pages can explain where care is provided, how to prepare for a visit, and which department to contact. Check details shortly before travelling, as locations, access arrangements, and clinic schedules may change. The NHS website is also a reliable source for general information about services and conditions.

Visiting rules can vary between wards and may change in response to safety requirements. Before setting out, consult the relevant hospital or ward guidance on the Trust website, or contact the ward using the official details provided there. If you need to change or confirm an appointment, follow the instructions in your appointment letter or contact the department named in it. For questions about a referral, planned procedure, or treatment already underway, your clinical team is usually best placed to advise.

People who need help navigating care can look for patient advice and liaison support through official Trust channels. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can help with concerns, feedback, and questions about care at the Trust; check the current contact methods and opening information on the official website. For general NHS guidance, NHS 111 can help identify an appropriate next step when a health concern needs timely attention but is not an immediate emergency. Use NHS 111 online or call 111, where available and suitable.

This overview is intended for general information only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or instructions from a healthcare professional. If someone is in immediate danger or has a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department. For urgent but non-life-threatening concerns, use NHS 111 or another route recommended by a clinician. If your question relates to an existing referral, appointment, or treatment plan, contact the clinical team or department directly and follow any personalised advice you have been given.