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Outpatient information

An outpatient goes to a hospital or clinic for treatment but does not stay the night. 

Download the Auckland City Hospital outpatient information brochure [PDF, 433 KB].

Download the Greenlane Clinical Centre clinic appointment information brochure [PDF, 777 KB]

Before your appointment

It's a good idea to plan for your appointment in advance so you are prepared and know where to go.

Changing or cancelling appointments

Appointments

To cancel or change an appointment, please call the number on your appointment letter as soon as possible.

You can also call 09 638 0400 or email scheduling@adhb.govt.nz. Please note that we receive our highest volume of calls in the early morning - if you are able to, please call outside of this time.

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.

Operations

Feeling unwell before your operation? If you have a change in your health that has required medical attention or hospitalisation since your appointment with the surgeon OR have any of the following symptoms within 3 days of your operation, please let us know:

  • Fevers/temperatures
  • Diarrhoea/vomiting
  • Infected wounds.

Please call and speak with the surgical booker on 0800 787 442 (Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm) or email surgicalbookings@adhb.govt.nz

What if it's a phone or video appointment?

Some of our outpatient appointments are carried out by phone or video. This saves you time and money by not having to travel or take as much time off work.

Family or another support person can be part of the appointment much more easily.

Telephone and video won’t be suitable for all appointments. If you are invited to a telephone or video appointment, we will have made sure that the appointment is safe and appropriate for your care.

If your appointment is going to be by phone or video you will be advised by one of our team and they will make sure you have the information you need.

Find out more.

Can I ask questions?

You may want to make a note of any questions you have in advance – it might help to talk to a family member or friend about this. If you think of further questions in your appointment, don't hesitate to ask.

What do I need to bring?

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).

Can I bring a support person?

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.

Can I bring my children?

If you are bringing children to the clinic, please make sure you supervise them at all times.

How can I request an interpreter?

Interpreters are also available and free for your appointments at Auckland District Health Board. Advise the ward staff or appointment coordinators that you need an interpreter.

You may find this card useful.

Translated help card in 36 languages

At your appointment

What should I do when I 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 family doctor. 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.

Will there be a wait?

We try to see people on time but 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.

How long will it take?

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.

Who will I see?

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.

Will there be a student doctor?

Trainee medical professionals are taught in our hospitals. You may be asked if a trainee 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.

Can I ask questions?

Yes, please ask any questions you may have.

Some useful questions might be:

Where can I find more information about this? 

What is this medication I'm taking, and why am I taking it?

What are some things I can do before my next appointment that would help my health?

If a doctor orders a test, ask: What is it for? What are you looking for?

After your appointment

What do I do now?

Getting my prescription

There are pharmacies at Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre. You can also choose to go to your regular pharmacy.

Following up

Ask the doctor what will happen after the appointment, they may want to see you again, or they may refer you back to your GP.

Further information

NHI number

The Ministry of Health website includes information on how to find your NHI number.

If we have written to you to make an appointment, check the letter. Your NHI number can be found below the Auckland District Health Board address in the top right-hand corner of your appointment letter.

Is my appointment confidential?

We will always:

  • Keep your personal information confidential.
  • Let you view your records.
  • Acknowledge your request for corrections to your records.
  • Acknowledge your request not to release your information.

Your health information may be disclosed to another health provider involved in your treatment or where authorised by law. For further information about the privacy of your information, you can call our Privacy Officer on 09 367 0000.

Your patient information

In order to provide high-quality care, all of our patients are required to provide us with their names and contact details by completing a registration form. The form asks for information such as your name, date of birth, address, and other contact details. This information is stored within our Patient Management System and is what we use should we need to get in touch with you. 

If you need to update any of the contact details which you've previously provided to us, such as your address, phone number, or current GP, please speak with the receptionist or ward clerk when you are on-site at one of our locations. You can also do this from home by contacting our Information Management team via email at dataquality@adhb.govt.nz. Please be aware that you may be asked to fill out an Auckland DHB registration form.