Being an outpatient
You're an outpatient when you come to our hospitals or health centres for an appointment with a doctor, specialist or clinic.
Sometimes you need these appointments to help you get ready to stay in hospital.
Our outpatient clinics also provide more routine medical services across the Central West region.
Getting an appointment
You need an appointment to visit an outpatient clinic.
If your GP thinks you should see a specialist, they'll write you a referral letter. You'll need to give the letter to your specialist before your first appointment, or when you see the specialist for the first time.
All referrals go in order based on how urgent each patient's condition is. You'll go on a waiting list with other patients who need to see a specialist. The specialist will work down the waiting list seeing the most urgent case first.
The clinic specialists will assess the referral and you'll get an appointment if it's needed.
Each hospital or specialist clinic has its own process for assessing urgency, accepting referral letters and making appointments.
Most referrals from doctors to specialists are valid for 12 months. Referrals from specialists and consultant physicians to other specialists are valid for 3 months unless you’re admitted to hospital.
Please call 07 4652 5500 if you have any questions about your referral.
Before your appointment
- You’ll be contacted with your appointment details.
- Make sure you know the date, time, and where you need to go.
- Plan your trip - how to get to the hospital or clinic, parking or public transport.
- If you need an interpreter, call the hospital or clinic at least 2 weeks before your appointment to arrange one.
- You can bring a family member or friend to the appointment.
- Talk to your doctor or specialist about how much it will cost.
The Choosing Wisely Australia website has a list of questions you could ask about your test, treatment or procedure.
What to bring
On the day of your appointment please bring:
- your appointment letter
- any test results, reports and medical scans such as x-rays, bone scans or ultrasounds
- medications and dietary supplements required during your visit
- your Medicare card
- pension or concession card, if you have one
- your GP contact details
- something to do while you wait.
Your appointment
Arrive ahead of your appointment time and check in with staff. They’ll check your details, ask to see your Medicare or pension card and direct you to the waiting area.
We do our best to stay on schedule, but delays can happen. Your doctor may need to discuss a complicated treatment or diagnosis with another patient. Please tell clinic staff if you can’t wait for your appointment.
There may be other medical staff in the room when you see the doctor, including medical and nursing students. Your doctor will introduce them and ask if you’re willing to let them observe.
You can ask your doctor questions at any time during your appointment. If you don't understand what you're being told, ask the doctor to explain it again.
After your appointment
Remember to speak with your GP about the appointment. If you saw a specialist, your specialist should report back to your doctor with your results, diagnosis or treatment.
Your GP may have more information for you and be able to help you with the next step of your treatment. Make sure you know how to take your medication or treatment. If you can't remember, ask your pharmacist or GP.