A published specialty-clinic schedule does not automatically mean every new patient can book or walk in directly. AIIMS New Delhi's citizen charter states that consultation in specialty and super-specialty clinics requires referral from AIIMS general OPD or a government institution.
This guide explains how to read a referral, appointment or follow-up instruction without treating a clinic timetable as universal access permission.
General OPD, specialty clinic and super-specialty centre
| Service | Typical role | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| General OPD | Initial outpatient consultation route | Department, appointment and registration instructions |
| Specialty clinic | Focused clinic within or across a department | Referral, clinic day, session and location |
| Super-specialty service | Advanced service often organized through a centre | Named centre/department and referral or existing-care route |
| Follow-up clinic | Return route after an earlier consultation | UHID, earlier prescription, return date and new investigations |
These descriptions help interpret an instruction; they do not determine clinical eligibility.
What counts as useful referral information
A referral or return document may identify:
- AIIMS New Delhi as the institution;
- a department, centre, division or clinic;
- whether the patient is new or follow-up;
- a preferred day or session;
- a reason for referral;
- previous investigations or treatment; and
- the referring institution or clinician.
Keep the original referral with relevant records. Do not upload it to this website.
If the referral names only a broad department
Use the department name when reviewing official booking choices. Do not independently convert a broad referral into a narrow specialty clinic unless the official service or hospital instruction directs that step.
If the referral names a centre
Centres such as CNC, RP Centre and IRCH contain multiple services. Combine the centre with the department or clinic shown on the document. The department and centre directory can help identify the administrative destination without offering symptom-based diagnosis.
Afternoon specialty clinics
The citizen charter publishes general afternoon specialty-clinic registration and consultation windows. Individual departments can publish different sessions. Surgical Disciplines, for example, publishes its own afternoon registration window and clinic-by-day table.
Therefore verify three things together: the clinic name, clinic day and access instruction. A general afternoon time alone is insufficient.
Existing and follow-up patients
An earlier AIIMS prescription can function as the most specific route instruction for the next visit. Preserve the UHID and bring new tests with the earlier document. Do not start again as an unrelated new patient unless instructed.
Referral problems
Clinic not shown on ORS
The clinic may use a department-level appointment, referral-only pathway or hospital follow-up route. Check the current department instruction instead of selecting an unrelated clinic.
Referral is old or unclear
Do not alter it yourself. Seek clarification from the referring service or the official hospital contact applicable to that route.
Private-hospital referral
The AIIMS citizen charter specifically describes referral from AIIMS general OPD or a government institution for specialty and super-specialty consultation. Do not assume every external document satisfies the same access requirement; check the named service.
Read the referral before booking
A useful referral normally identifies the clinical reason for referral and the intended department or specialty. Some also name a particular clinic or centre. For patient navigation, the most important booking detail is the receiving service—not the referring hospital's department name.
If handwriting is unclear, ask the referring clinician or facility to clarify it before selecting a similarly named AIIMS department. This website cannot interpret clinical notes or decide the correct specialty from symptoms.
New, existing and follow-up routes
| Patient situation | Start with |
|---|---|
| New patient referred to a broad department | Check whether that department accepts new appointments and whether general OPD assessment is required first |
| New patient referred to a specialty clinic | Confirm the clinic name, referral requirement and session before travel |
| Existing AIIMS patient referred internally | Preserve the UHID and follow the AIIMS note or referral route |
| Follow-up patient returning to the same clinic | Use the written follow-up instruction and existing record rather than an unrelated new booking |
On the appointment day
Carry the original referral or a readable official copy, appointment confirmation, identity document requested by the process, earlier AIIMS record if one exists, and the clinical reports relevant to the referral. At registration, show the named receiving department or clinic. After the consultation, keep any internal referral or return instruction with the OPD card.
Frequently asked questions
Does every AIIMS department require a referral?
Rules differ by service. General OPD, specialty clinics and super-specialty services should not be treated as one route.
Can a private doctor refer a patient to AIIMS?
A clinical referral can still help describe the required specialty, but acceptance and clinic-access rules are determined by AIIMS. Some published specialty routes specify referral from AIIMS general OPD or a government institution.
What if ORS shows the department but not the specialty clinic?
Do not book the broad department merely to guess. Check the current clinic instruction or official contact route, especially when the referral names a specific session.
Sources and review
Reviewed 24 September 2026 using the AIIMS New Delhi citizen charter and scoped department workflow pages. Clinic access can change and the current department instruction controls.