Going to hospital as an outpatient
You’re an outpatient if you come to hospital for an appointment with a specialist doctor or another health professional, but you aren’t admitted.
You may have an x-ray or other tests during your appointment.
Your appointment is free if you’re a public patient and have a Medicare Card. You'll need to bring your card or have access to the Medicare app for each appointment.
Find out more about health care costs, insurance and financial support.
Getting an outpatient appointment
If your GP thinks you should see a specialist, they'll send a referral letter to one of our hospitals.
We'll assess your referral first. If we accept it, we'll send you a receipt of referral letter. This letter will include your category number and an expected wait time.
If your condition isn’t urgent, you’ll go on a waiting list with other patients who also need to see a specialist.
The outpatient area will contact you with a letter or an SMS to confirm your appointment location, date and time.
If you can't go to your appointment, please tell us as soon as possible. Call the phone number printed on the front of your appointment letter.
Services that don’t need a GP referral
- Emergency treatment
- Urgent mental health care
- Dental health care - if you're eligible for this service.
What to bring
Allow at least 2 hours for your appointment. Please check with the clinic reception for more information about how long your appointment will take.
Make sure you bring:
- your appointment letter
- your Medicare Card
- concession cards such as Health Care Card or Veteran Card
- any test results, reports and medical scans such as x-rays, bone scans or ultrasounds
- a list of prescribed or unprescribed medicines you're taking
- your GP contact details
- something to do while you wait, such as a book, magazine, or knitting.
Check in to the outpatient clinic
Please arrive at the outpatient clinic 15 minutes before your appointment.
Check in with the outpatient clinic reception staff when you arrive. We'll check your contact details, Medicare Card and concession cards.
Please tell us if you're a WorkCover patient.
If you need a medical certificate for work, ask your doctor during your appointment.
After your appointment
Check out at reception before you go home. If you need another appointment, we'll book it for you.
If your doctor thinks you need surgery, we'll put your name on the elective surgery wait list. We'll send you a letter telling you how long you may need to wait for your surgery.
Read more about waiting lists on the Queensland Government website.
Telehealth appointments
Telehealth lets you attend your appointments by phone or computer.
Using telehealth means you don’t need to travel to a hospital or outpatient clinic. You can have your telehealth appointment from anywhere with an internet or phone connection.
Talk to your GP or specialist to see if telehealth is the right option for you.
Do you need an interpreter?
We can provide a free interpreter for your appointment.
We use accredited, professional interpreters for all medical appointments because Queensland Health policy requires professional interpreters – not family or friends – to translate medical information.
If you'd like an interpreter, please contact us as soon as you get your appointment details.
More information
Read more about outpatient (hospital day visit) clinics on the Queensland Government website.