What to Expect After a Hospital Referral or Outpatient Appointment

Name: What to Expect After a Hospital Referral or Outpatient Appointment
Creator: Dr Zamiel Hussain

Being referred to hospital or an outpatient clinic can raise a lot of questions. Many people are unsure what happens next, how long things take, or what their appointment will involve.

This page explains what usually happens after a GP referral, how hospital services triage referrals, and what to expect before, during, and after an outpatient appointment.

These articles are intended as educational sources, not diagnostic nor taking place of a proper medical assessment. If you need help, please book an appointment with one of our GP’s.

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What happens after a GP referral is sent?

Once a referral is submitted, it is reviewed by the receiving hospital or specialist service. This process is known as triage.

During triage, clinicians assess:

the reason for referral
the information provided by the GP
any test results already available
urgency and clinical risk

Based on this review, the service decides the most appropriate next step.

How hospitals decide urgency

Not all referrals are seen in the order they are received. Appointments are prioritised according to clinical need.

In some cases:

you may be offered an appointment quickly
you may be booked for investigations first
the referral may be redirected to a different service
additional information may be requested

Urgent referrals, such as those made under specific pathways, are prioritised accordingly.

How you will be contacted

Hospitals usually contact patients directly. This may be by:

letter
email
phone call
patient portal or app

It is important to check correspondence carefully, as appointment details and instructions are often included.

If you move address or change contact details, updating this promptly helps avoid delays.

What an outpatient appointment usually involves

Outpatient appointments vary by specialty, but most involve a discussion about your symptoms and medical history. The clinician may review previous test results, ask further questions, and explain what they think is going on.

Some appointments involve examination or tests on the same day, while others focus on assessment and planning. You may be advised about treatment options, further investigations, follow up, or discharge back to your GP.

Investigations and test results

Investigations can happen either before or after an outpatient appointment. This depends on the pathway used and the nature of your symptoms.

Results are sometimes discussed during the appointment, but in many cases they are sent later by letter or shared with your GP. It is common for results to take time, particularly if specialist interpretation is needed.

What happens after the appointment?

After your outpatient appointment:

results may be explained immediately or sent later
follow up appointments may be arranged
treatment may be started
you may be discharged back to your GP

A summary letter is usually sent to your GP, outlining findings and the plan.

What if you are discharged back to your GP?

Many people worry that discharge means their problem has been dismissed. In most cases, discharge simply means:

no specialist follow up is needed at that time
monitoring can safely continue in primary care
symptoms have resolved or are stable

If symptoms change or worsen, re referral can be considered.

Delays and waiting times

Waiting times vary widely depending on specialty, urgency, and local demand. Delays can be frustrating and anxiety-provoking.

If your symptoms worsen while you are waiting, or you become concerned about new symptoms, it is appropriate to seek further medical advice rather than waiting for a scheduled appointment.