Outpatient Services

Overview

The General Outpatient Department is the first point of contact for most patients attending UNTH without an emergency. Patients are registered, triaged and seen by a clinical team who either manage the condition directly or refer onward to the appropriate specialist clinic. Consultant-led specialist clinics run to a weekly timetable across every clinical department.

What to expect

• Registration and records retrieval at the outpatient reception
• Vital signs, triage and nursing assessment
• Consultation with a doctor, with consultant review where indicated
• Investigations in laboratory, radiology or cardiac diagnostics
• Pharmacy dispensing and a follow-up appointment where required

Where the General Outpatient Department runs

• UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, the main campus, open to all patients
• Federal Secretariat Clinic, Independence Layout, Enugu, for National Health Insurance enrollees registered there
• UNTH Old Site Sick Bay, Enugu, for staff and students of the hospital's training schools

Preparing for your appointment

• Arrive early with your hospital number or registration details
• Bring your referral letter and previous results
• Bring a current list of medication, including herbal preparations
• Bring identification and health insurance details where applicable

Who should start at the General Outpatient Department

• Adults aged 18 years and above attending without an emergency or a valid referral letter
• Children below 18 years attend the Children's Outpatient Clinic (CHOP) instead
• Patients with an emergency go directly to Accident and Emergency
• Patients seeking specialist care without a valid referral are first seen at the General Outpatient Department

How the outpatient visit is organised

• Enter your name at reception and collect a serial number
• New patients are registered at the Medical Records desk; returning patients present their card for retrieval of case notes
• Cards are passed to the revenue point, where payment is made and a receipt issued
• The receipt and serial number are presented at the scheduling desk and nurses schedule the consultation
• Patients are seen in order of arrival, with acutely ill patients brought forward
• After consultation, patients proceed to pharmacy, laboratory or radiology, a specialist clinic on referral, or follow-up services such as physiotherapy and dietetics

National Health Insurance enrollees

Enrollees report to the National Health Insurance desk after collecting a serial number so that cover can be verified; verified enrollees do not pass through the revenue point. After the consultation, enrollees return to the insurance desk to have prescription forms, laboratory request forms and referral letters registered before proceeding.

Other outpatient services

• Medical examination and certification of fitness
• Pre-employment medical examinations
• Health education for patients and relatives
• A training outpost for community medicine, medical clerkship and the School of Nursing