The outpatient department is an important part of the overall running of the hospital. It is integrated with the in-patient services and staffed by consultant physicians and surgeons who also attend inpatients in the wards. Many patients are examined and given treatment as outpatients before being admitted to the hospital at a later date as inpatients. When discharged, they may attend the outpatient clinic for follow-up treatment. The outpatient department provides diagnosis and care for patients that do not need to stay overnight.
Patients will register at the reception desk and there is seating for them while they wait for their appointments. Each doctor has a consulting room with a smaller waiting area nearby. The outpatients department has easy access to radiology facilities, pathology laboratories and other services such as physiotherapy and pharmacy.