How to book a doctor in Hong Kong: public, private and Department of Health channels
No single official site books every Hong Kong doctor; it depends on private or public care and whether you need a referral letter. Private doctors are usually booked by phone or online; Book a Doctor lists where doctors, Chinese medicine practitioners, chiropractors and dentists work, by specialty and district, with clinic contacts where published (this page is compiled by this site); a new public specialist case needs a locally registered doctor's referral letter, booked via HA Go "Book Easy" (Hospital Authority press release, December 2023); public family medicine clinics, by phone or HA Go.
Which channel, and is a referral letter needed?
First be clear whether you want private or public — that decides whether you need a referral letter and which channel to book through.
| What you want | How to book | Referral letter? |
|---|---|---|
| Private specialist or GP / family doctor | Call directly or book through the clinic's website; clinics' phone numbers and booking links can be found by specialty and district in Book a Doctor's doctor lists | Generally not (some insurance direct-billing or certain procedures may require one — see the referral-letter page) |
| New case at a public specialist clinic | Via HA Go "Book Easy", or register at the specialist clinic, to draw a new-case slot | Yes (a referral letter from a locally registered doctor) |
| Public general outpatient / family medicine clinic | By phone (caller-ID numbers only) or HA Go; with new-case and priority-group arrangements | No |
| Department of Health services (Maternal & Child Health Centres, Elderly Health Centres, chest screening, etc.) | Each service's own booking arrangement | Depends on the service |
What to prepare before booking?
Before booking you can prepare proof of identity, a list of questions for the doctor, and past reports and images; a public specialist visit needs a referral letter first. Full checklists are in how to prepare for a specialist appointment and preparing for a first doctor's visit.
To check a doctor's registration and specialty, see how to check a doctor's registration.
How to reschedule or cancel?
To reschedule or cancel, generally go back to the channel or clinic you booked through: a private clinic directly; a public booking through the specialist clinic you registered with or HA Go. Booking arrangements and fees are as published by the institution, so you can confirm the reschedule and cancellation arrangements when you book.
Related guides
Public specialist clinic new cases (referral letter, HA Go "Book Easy", triage): see how to book a public specialist clinic.
Public general outpatient / family medicine clinics (phone and HA Go booking, priority groups): see booking a general outpatient clinic.
Who signs a referral letter and how long it is valid: see the specialist referral letter.
How the system works overall (public and private): see how Hong Kong's healthcare works.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a single website that books every doctor in Hong Kong?
No single official website. Public services are mostly booked through the HA Go mobile app; private clinics are mostly booked through their own websites or by phone; Book a Doctor's doctor lists show 5,828 doctors, Chinese medicine practitioners, chiropractors and dentists (as of 26 October 2026) by specialty and district, with the clinic's published contact and booking details where available. Book a Doctor does not book on your behalf or hold appointment schedules; you confirm the booking directly with the clinic.
Can I book a specialist directly without a referral letter?
A private specialist can generally be booked directly; a new case at a public specialist clinic needs a referral letter from a locally registered doctor (see the specialist referral letter). Some insurance direct-billing or certain procedures may have their own requirements.