China has a three-tier system for ranking hospitals, with third-tier hospitals, which have the largest number of beds and provide comprehensive medical services, at the top of the system. Most county-level hospitals are second-tier, while most grassroots-level hospitals are first-tier.
Guangdong has a well-developed healthcare network comprising general and specialized hospitals. In cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, there are also international-standard private hospitals. For those unable to travel independently, ambulance services are available at a cost that depends on distance and medical supplies used.
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Hospitals provide various appointment registration channels. Patients may also register on-site at outpatient departments. The general process is as follows:
1. Register and undergo triage
2. Wait in the queue
3. Consultation with a doctor
4. Payment for prescribed tests/examinations (some may require separate scheduling)
5. Receive a prescription directly or after test results are reviewed
6. Payment for medication
7. Collect medicine
Service: One registration valid for 3 days
Starting January 1, 2026, all public medical institutions in Guangdong have implemented a "one registration valid for 3 days" policy for general outpatient visits. This allows patients to return for follow-up consultations within three days for interpretation of test results and continued care in the same department, without repaying the registration fee, saving both time and cost.
To ensure medical quality and safety, related services will not be provided in the Emergency Department, Fever Clinic, or for cross-departmental or cross-specialty visits.
The following scenarios are not covered under the "one registration valid for 3 days" service:
The initial consultation has been completed, the attending physician has already established a definitive diagnosis and prescribed medication, or all test/examination results from that day have been fully addressed.
The initial consultation has been completed, and the physician has proactively ordered tests or examinations for the patient's routine follow-up needs.
During the first visit or before the follow-up, the patient is found to have another specialist condition requiring consultation in a different department.