Appointments (outpatients)

If you have an appointment with one of our specialists, you are known as an ‘outpatient’.

Outpatient appointments are arranged once we receive a referral. Once the health service has received a referral, we will send you a letter with details such as which clinic you are required to attend and how to prepare for your appointment.

If your condition changes, or you are concerned about your health before the date of your appointment, please contact your referring clinician.

Our team also aims to provide face-to-face triage for pre-assessment patients following the surgeons decision to potentially commence surgery.

What to bring

• Your appointment letter
• Medicare, pension, DVA or healthcare card
• Test results and X-rays (if applicable)
• A list of medications (including strength and dosage)
• Glasses and hearing aids
• Any additional special items listed on your letter
• Snacks, a drink or money to buy refreshments
• Something to read or do while you wait

When you arrive

Please arrive at your outpatient clinic 15 minutes before your appointment.

Please check in with the outpatient clinic reception staff as soon as you arrive. You will be asked to confirm your contact details and to present your Medicare and any concession cards. After checking in, please take a seat in the waiting area.

While we always try to ensure that clinics run on time, there can be unavoidable delays. We recommend you allocate at least two hours for your appointment (this may change depending on the clinic – please check with the clinic reception).

If you need a medical certificate for work, please ask your doctor during your appointment.

After your appointment

Following your appointment, please check in with the clinic reception. They will ensure another appointment is booked if required.

If your doctor decides you require surgery, you will be added to the elective surgery wait list. We will send you a letter to confirm that you are on the elective surgery wait list so please ensure all your contact details are up to date.

If you are unable to attend your appointment

If you are unable to attend your appointment for any reason, please contact us as soon as possible on the number printed on the front of your appointment letter.

Do you need an interpreter?

We have a free interpreter service available to all our patients. It is our policy to use fully accredited professional interpreters for all medical appointments. Family or friends are usually not able to accurately translate complex medical information.

[feature-block-outline]

Hospitals don’t use the traditional ‘first-come first-served’ approach when it comes to treating patients. Hospitals triage, or sort, patients based on how urgently they need to be seen. This means patients with immediate or life-threatening illness or injury will be seen before patients with less-serious problems. While every effort is made to see patients for their scheduled appointment or surgery, sometimes emergencies may mean we have to reschedule. In the event that your appointment or surgery is rescheduled, we will let you know as soon as possible and fit you in at the earliest available time slot.

[/feature-block-outline]

In an emergency call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Non-urgent medical issues:
13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)

24/7 Mental Health crisis assistance and support: 
13 MH CALL (1300 64 2255)

Townsville University Hospital
(07) 4433 1111

Useful Resources

Outpatient Waiting List

Understanding outpatient and surgical wait times