Definition of Hospitals, admission

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There are three different types of hospital admission depending on the nature of tests or treatment that you require. Your doctor, dentist or optician will refer you for treatment, and as a hospital patient, you will fall under one of the following categories:

Outpatient

If you are referred to see a hospital consultant for a specialist opinion, your visit to the consultant is an outpatient appointment. You do not need to stay in hospital.

Day patient

If you need a hospital bed for tests or surgery, but do not need to stay overnight for surgery, you will have a day patient appointment (also known as a day case).

Inpatient

If you need a hospital bed because you have to stay in hospital for tests or surgery, you will have an inpatient appointment.

For whichever type of care you require, your hospital will write to you with details of your appointment date and time. They will also provide you with directions to the appropriate clinic. Alternatively, you may be asked to telephone the hospital yourself to arrange an appointment on a convenient day. You will be told what will happen during and after your appointment, and a telephone number will be provided for you to ring if you have any questions.