Your appointment (outpatients)

Requesting an appointment

To get an outpatient appointment, your doctor needs to send a referral to the hospital.

Offer of appointment/wait list

The hospital will send you a letter or an SMS either offering an appointment or advising that your name has been placed on a wait list. Your letter/SMS will tell you 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 doctor.

Wait list audit

If you have been placed on a wait list you may receive an SMS asking you to complete an online form if you wish to remain on, or be removed from, the list. The SMS will be from ‘QLD Health’ and the form will be provided by our partner (currently Personify Care). If you have any questions regarding the online form you can email the RBWH Audit Officer at RBWH_Outpatient_Audit@health.qld.gov.au.

At your appointment

When you arrive, register your attendance at the reception desk with your appointment letter. You will be directed to a seating area near your clinic for you to wait. While we always try to ensure that clinics run on time, due to unavoidable delays there may be a 1-2 hour wait to see a specialist.

At your first appointment your doctor will discuss your concerns and health care plan. You may require an examination or further tests. Your doctor will let you know if you require further appointments.

Being seen as a public or private patient

On your first appointment, you will be asked if you would like to be seen as a public or private patient.

Medication

The hospital pharmacy and retail pharmacy are located directly opposite the Specialist Outpatient Clinic on Level 1 Ned Hanlon Building. You are welcome to use your own community pharmacy, however, some medications may not be on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and you may have to pay extra for these.

What to bring with you

Each time you visit us

• Your Medicare card
• Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
• Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
• Current medications (prescription, over the counter and herbal medicine)
• Relevant x-rays, scans or any other test results or reports
• Glasses, hearing and mobility aids

For an outpatient or clinic appointment

• Your appointment letter
• Any special items listed on your letter
• WorkCover claim number (if relevant)
• Snacks, a drink or money to buy refreshments
• Something to read or do while you wait

Telehealth – is it for me?

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital offers specialist appointments by telehealth to enable patients to receive quality care closer to home.

Telehealth utilises secure videoconference technology to enable a patient to see, hear and speak to their clinician for an appointment, without having to travel to their location.

Outpatient clinics contact

Please call the corresponding clinic number to:

• confirm your have received your appointment request
• change or cancel your appointment
• update your contact details.