Adults
You are looked after by a team who work together to plan and provide your care. You may see different members of the team at different times. All staff who meet you will introduce themselves. All staff wear a badge stating their name and role.
It is important that you be on time for your appointment. If you arrive late, patients who are on time will be seen before you. If, for any reason, you cannot make your appointment, please let us know, as we might be able to give your time to someone else. To cancel or change an appointment, please call the number on your appointment letter as soon as possible.
What to bring with you
When you come for an appointment you will need:
- Your appointment letter.
- Any medicines that you are currently taking (or a list of them).
- Money to pay for any prescriptions and for parking.
- Your passport, birth certificate or New Zealand citizenship certificate to confirm you are eligible for publicly funded healthcare (if requested in your appointment letter).
You can bring a support person with you, but we ask that, if possible, you bring no more than two people. In some clinical areas it is only possible for one person to remain with you. If you are bringing children to the clinic, please make sure you supervise them at all times.
When you arrive
Please check your appointment letter carefully for the location of the clinic. On arrival, please report to the receptionist to let us know you have arrived. The clinic receptionist will check your appointment letter and confirm your current details. Please tell them if you have changed your address, telephone number or general practitioner (GP). To help reduce the spread of infection, please wash your hands when you arrive and before you leave the building, or use the hand sanitiser available at most reception areas and entrances of our buildings.
Your appointment
Each specialist in the hospital has a team of doctors supervised by them who will be responsible for your treatment. You will be seen by a member of their team, but not necessarily by the specialist .
Trainee doctors are taught in our hospitals. You may be asked if a trainee doctor can be present at your consultation or involved in your care. You can say no to this and this will not affect your treatment in any way.
The nurse or doctor will explain what treatments or procedures you will be having and ask for your consent before procedures are carried out. For some procedures, such as operations, you will be asked to give specific consent in writing. As well as seeing the doctor, you may need to visit other parts of the hospital or clinic for tests such as x-rays or blood tests. Please allow extra time for this. If you have to leave the clinic before finishing your appointment, please let the receptionist know. If you are unclear about anything please ask.
While we endeavour to see people on time, circumstances outside of our control can cause delays. If you have registered at the reception desk and have been waiting for more than 30 minutes past your appointment time, please check back with the receptionist.
For more information about your outpatient visit, you can download one of the following brochures depending on which location you are visiting.
Outpatient patient and visitor welcome leaflet- Greenlane Clinical CentreOutpatient patient and visitor welcome leaflet- Greenlane Clinical Centre
Outpatient patient and visitor welcome leaflet - Auckland City HospitalOutpatient patient and visitor welcome leaflet - Auckland City Hospital
Children
Outpatient clinics are held at different locations: Greenlane Clinical Centre, Starship Children's Hospital and other centres. Please check your appointment letter to make sure you have the right place, time and day. We recommend arriving at the hospital at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
Once you are in the clinic building, you will need to find the outpatients reception area and let the receptionists know you have arrived.
Reception staff will then check your current details. You will need to tell them if you have recently changed your address, phone number or GP. If you have been asked to provide proof of eligibility, you can give the receptionist a copy of your child's birth certificate or passport. For more information see eligibility for publicly funded healthcare
The receptionist will tell the clinical staff you have arrived, and also advise whether your child needs to have an x-ray or any other tests done before the appointment. Most children will have their height and weight taken by the clinic staff.
How long will our appointment take?
Please allow up to an hour for your first visit, as well as another 30 minutes to park and register at reception. During the consultation, a full medical history will be taken, including an examination where appropriate, and tests such as x-rays or blood tests may then be requested. Some of these tests can be done at the time of your appointment, while other tests may have to be arranged for another day. Find out more.