New Patients

New Patients

Make sure to bring a referral letter
The Osaka University Hospital has been designated an "advanced treatment hospital" by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to provide advanced medical care services. To consult a doctor from this hospital, a referral letter (with patient's medical report) issued by another medical facility is required, in principle. This hospital strives to maintain close cooperation with regional affiliated hospitals. Please keep in mind that you must bring your referral letter with you to facilitate your examination.

※Patients cannot consult Respiratory Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Surgery, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pediatrics, Center for Developmental Medicine and Child Psychiatry without a referral letter (with patient's medical report).[Details]

Designated medical care fee
This hospital has been designated an "advanced treatment hospital". If you do not have a referral letter, you must pay a designated medical care fee (* 8,800 yen including tax) in addition to the treatment fees.
The same applies to those who revisit after more than 6 months without an appointment.

A referral letter is required for first consultation at the Respiratory Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Surgery, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pediatrics, Center for Developmental Medicine and Child Psychiatry.

In the past, to provide community-based health care and provide convenience to patients, the Osaka University Hospital would offer medical examinations and treatment to patients whether or not they had a referral letter. However, as a result the number of patients increased chronically, and the time required for examination and treatment (including waiting time) became much longer, causing dissatisfaction among patients.
Therefore, the hospital has made the following changes in reception procedures for sections which have an especially long waiting time for patients.

Clinical Section and Time of Change

Respiratory Medicine A first consultation with the Respiratory Medicine is available only to those who have obtained an initial appointment from the Patient Support Center. When you come to the clinic for your first consultation, please bring the referral letter issued by your referring physician.
Infectious Diseases From July 1, 2022
Pediatric Surgery From October 1, 2022
Even if you bringing a medical report, it will be decided by the clinical department whether or not you can see a doctor.
*This is a temporary response until the end of the COVID-19 infection.
Ophthalmology From June 1, 2011
Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery From April 1, 2014
Orthopaedic Surgery From May 1, 2021
The first visit to Orthopaedic Surgery is limited to those who have made an appointment for the first visit through Patient Support Center in advance.
Please note that we may not be able to see you if you do not have an appointment for your first visit.
Pediatrics From May 1, 2020
Please make a reservation through the Patient Support Center at patients' first visit. The regular hospital or clinic should fax an applicaiton for examination in advance.
Center for Developmental Medicine and Child Psychiatry From April 1, 2020
Please refer to the website for visiting the Center for Developmental Medicine and Child Psychiatry (Pediatric development outpatient). After that, please fax the referral letter with the Referral/Reservation Application Form. We will send you back a fax about the reservation status within 1-2 weeks. After getting a reservation, we will mail questionnaires to the patient's home, so please let the patient to fill out and to send them back at least within 1 week before the first visit.

Reception Procedure

For first-time visitors and patients who have not returned to the section for more than 6 months (except those who have an appointment), only those who have a referral letter from a primary care doctor (at a clinic or hospital) addressed to the relevant section at the Osaka University Hospital will be accepted for examination and treatment.
Patients desiring further treatment who have not returned to the section for more than 6 months and do not have an appointment must be examined at a local medical institution and obtain a referral letter addressed to the relevant section at the Osaka University Hospital.

To medical facilities concerned

※Preparing a patient's medical report and making an appointment for a first consultation
To refer your patients to the Osaka University Hospital, you must write a letter of referral and contact the Patient Support Center at the Osaka University Hospital for the patient to receive an appointment to consult a doctor at our hospital. Note that patients themselves cannot apply for their initial appointment. Only requests for appointments from medical facilities are accepted.

Reception counter

  • Please collect a number card from the first-time visitor reception machine installed at (2) First-time Visitor Reception in the entrance hall, and enter your information (e.g., your name, address, etc.) using the designated application form.
  • When your number on the card is called, submit the completed application form, health insurance card/claimant certification for medical care, and referral letter (with patient's medical report) at (2) First-time Visitor Reception.

(2) First-time Visitor Reception

  • After completing the above steps, please submit your patient registration card, which is issued to you, and your referral letter at the reception counter of the clinical section you are consulting. Keep your registration card in a safe place. You will need it whenever you consult a doctor at any of the sections at the Osaka University Hospital in the future.

patient registration card