When you come to hospital for an appointment, you are known as an outpatient.
You will be seen by a specialist at your appointment. The specialist is often a doctor but may also be a nurse, physiotherapist, dietitian or allied health worker. You may also have an X-ray or other tests, or we may ask you to have these tests before your appointment.
In most cases, your general practitioner (GP) will refer you for an outpatient appointment.