Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical waiting times for outpatient appointments?

On receipt of your referral into the department we would endeavor to have the appointment letter left for you with the radiotherapist on your machine within a week. The actual appointment waiting time may vary from a few days to a few weeks depending on the urgency of your nutritional problem and department workloads.

What should I do if I need to cancel my appointment?

If you need to cancel or change your outpatient dietetic appointment, we require, if possible at least 48 hours advance notice. This will enable us to offer your slot to another patient

You can contact us on Telephone: 01 – 4065049. An answering machine operates when we are out of the department and outside of working hours. Please clearly leave your name, a contact number and a message.

What if I am late for my appointment?

If you are late for your appointment please attempt to phone the main switch board of St Lukes on Telephone: 01 4065000 and ask them to bleep the dietitian from whom you recieved the appointment letter. If there is no reply then please phone the department directly on Telephone: 01 – 4065049.
When late for your dietetic appointment we will endeavour to fit you in for the dietetic consultation, however, your consultation may have to be cut short, cancelled or rearranged.

What if I am early for my appointment ?

If you are early for your dietetic appointment please knock on the door of Clinic room 1 in radiotherapy and if the dietitian is free she may be able to facilitate seeing you earlier than your scheduled time.

How long will my appointment last?

  • New outpatient appointments normally last between 1/2 hour and 3/4 hour.
  • The first appointment will compromise of an assessment where you will be asked questions about what you are currently eating, any difficulties you have eating and about any weight loss you may have experienced. You will also be weighed and subsequently given dietary advice.
  • Length of follow-up appointments vary between 10 minutes and 1 hour.

What should I do on arrival?

On arrival please knock on the door of Clinic room 1 in radiotherapy. If the dietitian does not answer immediately she may be seeing another patient. In this case please take a seat outside the door and the dietitian will call you in when she is finished.