Group Clinic – Frequently Asked Questions

At your group clinic you get the clinical review and support you need. You get answers to your specific questions and there is a group discussion about health issues too.

Your group clinic will last 60 or 90 minutes. There are usually 10-12 people in a group.

The facilitator will ask you to confirm your identity, check you are happy to take part and ask you to confirm that the clinic agreement has been read. The session will then start by reminding everyone in the group to keep information confidential and to follow some simple group rules or understandings. These will help you to get the most out of the clinic and your time with your clinician. The facilitator’s job is to keep the group together and make sure the clinic stays on track.

Each member of the group introduces themselves. There is time to review and understand your condition and your main concerns about it. Then you come up with questions for your clinician who joins the group after about 30 minutes. When the clinician joins, they discuss and answer common questions with the group. Each individual will have the opportunity to speak to the clinician in turn while the rest of the group benefit from hearing the consultation. The facilitator will start finishing the session after 60/90 minutes and you get the chance to reflect on what you have learnt and what you want to do next to keep well.

Yes, there is a consent process in place and this helps you and others stay safe and preserves the whole group’s confidentiality. Please read our clinic agreement for more information.

Group clinics are a very engaging consultation model for people with a whole range of healthcare issues. They can be a real and better alternative for many people.Group clinics are up and running all over the UK and have proved to be very popular. People say that they enjoy hearing the experiences and getting advice from other people in a similar situation. They also like having longer with the clinician to talk about their concerns and for questions. They enjoy sharing what has worked for them with others and hearing about others’ successes. They feel less isolated and alone managing their health issues. They also find group clinics very convenient. People who attend group clinics see their health improving and need to go to hospital less.

Yes, it is your choice to take part in group clinics. If you decide you would prefer one to one appointments, please book these in the usual way. However, people attending group consultations have generally been shown to do better with managing their long term condition and we would encourage you to take up this offer.

Carers are encouraged to attend, as they often play an important and active role in supporting the individual.

Friends may attend in certain circumstances. If you feel anxious about attending alone, a close friend may accompany you for support. Wherever possible, we recommend that your main carer attends instead.

Partners are not usually able to join the group clinic, unless this is considered essential and has been agreed in advance with the clinic team.

Please inform us ahead of time if you would like someone to accompany you. Anyone attending the group clinic must read and agree to the clinic agreement before taking part.

Our policy is if you are more than five minutes late you will not be able to join the session and will need to book onto another session.  This is because it is important that everyone is checked in, consents and signs up to the group understandings at the start. It is very disruptive for the group when people join late. If you are late, please let the reception team know and we will book you into another group clinic.

We record information in your medical record. This is the only place information is kept after the group.

You won’t know until you give it a go! People tell us they really enjoy the experience but understand this might not suit everyone. If you are feeling anxious beforehand, let the facilitator know. It is also OK to attend a group and just listen. You can even join in and decide to leave if it isn’t right for you. At any point you want to leave a group, you can do.

Do let your facilitator know if you are feeling worried about being in a group. It is OK to attend a group to just listen. You will still learn a lot and many people who do this and end up joining in once they feel comfortable.

If you feel the group clinic isn’t working for you, let the facilitator know. You can leave at any time. The team asks for feedback at the end of every video group clinic so let your facilitator know if you think things could be improved.

No. To ensure all information shared in the session is kept confidential and your privacy is fully respected, you must not record, share or post any aspect of the session. It’s in everyone’s interest to respect this. Please feel free to bring a notepad and pen for notes if you wish.

We assure this in three ways. First, before the group, all participants are sent an agreement to not to share any information discussed within the group. Unlike the confidentiality regulations surrounding a doctor’s obligation to keep all information confidential, this is not enforceable by law. However, as all participants will be sharing personal information, it is in everyone’s interests to respect this.
Second, when you join the session, the facilitator asks you to consent to share limited and relevant information about your condition with the group. This information will be shared with the group in the form of a results board. You consent verbally.
Third, the clinic team makes a record that you have consented and note this on your computer record.  

If you have any private concerns or the clinician feels you need some further one to one time or follow up, then you can be booked in for a follow-up one to one appointment as usual. We expect you will have a positive experience and will book in to further group clinics when you are invited.

Yes. Some people find that they get on really well, form friendships and want to carry on meeting to support each other after they meet at group clinic. Getting involved if this happens is your choice.  Being part of a support group helps some people adhere to their goals and keep motivated to make lifestyle changes that may help manage your condition and recovery. Your clinician can refer you to support groups that already exist. Ask about this if you are interested.