Waiting for clinic appointment.

No one should be allowed to play music/messages etc on their phones without headphones. Many patients are feeling tired, emotional and/or unwell; a quiet peaceful waiting area or one with quiet conversations going on is soothing. Sitting next to someone playing video games or listening to music without headphones or having an unmuted telephone conversation is not!

A special area should be provided for those with young children (if allowed) as many cancer patients have been asked to stay away from young children and therefore feel disturbed when they arrive in the waiting area.

Where chairs/space are limited only one accompanying adult should be permitted to accompany the patient and spaces between pairs of chairs left. At busy times patients have to sit apart from their accompanying person, or have to sit squashed next to someone they do not know. Again those warned against infection risks find this uncomfortable.

Pairs of chairs for patients and an accompanying friend/family member with spaces between them feel preferable to rows of chairs where newcomers have to negotiate leaving a space between them and their neighbour.