Sometimes, we need to book an appointment at the hospital, and it’s not always as easy as it should be. Depending on where you live and which hospital you need to go to, the steps might change a bit. But don’t worry, here’s how to book an appointment at the hospital in the simplest way possible, so you don’t waste any time.

1. Call the hospital

The most classic way is to pick up the phone and call. Every hospital has a public service number, so if you need an appointment with your doctor or a check-up, you can call and ask. Just be ready for the usual wait with the background music.

Tip: Have your health card or doctor’s details handy. They’ll likely ask for them.

2. Book an appointment online

These days, the easiest option is to book your appointment online. Many regions have online portals or apps where you can manage your medical appointments without having to talk to anyone. Just go to the hospital’s website or the health platform for your area, find the “book appointment” section, and follow the steps.

Real example: In places like Madrid, you can use the virtual health card or go to the Sermas website to book a medical appointment online. Simply enter your details, choose your doctor and the date, and you’re done.

3. Using a mobile app

Almost every region has an app for booking appointments. If you don’t have it installed yet, search on Google Play or the App Store for your regional health service’s app. They’re usually quite easy to use and let you manage everything from your phone.

Benefits:

  • You don’t have to worry about hospital hours.
  • You can check or cancel upcoming appointments if needed.
  • Sometimes, they even send reminders so you don’t forget your appointment.

4. Visit the hospital in person

If you prefer doing things the old-fashioned way, you can always go directly to the hospital and request the appointment in person at the information desk or patient services. Just be prepared to wait in line a bit since others might be there for different matters too.

5. Appointment through doctor’s referral

In some cases, if you’re already in a consultation and they tell you that you need a test or follow-up, they might book the appointment for you. You won’t have to worry about booking it later, although this depends on the hospital and the type of test or consultation.