OPD Appointment Guide: Dr. Susheela Tiwari Memorial Hospital (GMC Haldwani)

Dr. Susheela Tiwari Memorial Hospital (STM Hospital) is the principal teaching hospital of Government Medical College, Haldwani, situated on Rampur Road in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. With a capacity of over 600 beds and a wide range of clinical departments, it is a major public healthcare facility serving the Kumaon division and draws patients from across the hills and foothills of the region.

The hospital operates on a walk-in OPD model: patients attend the registration counter in person on the day they wish to consult, collect a token, and are seen by the relevant department's doctors in order. No advance appointment is required for most OPD visits. This guide explains the registration process, OPD schedule, likely wait times, costs, and the government schemes that cover treatment at no or low cost for eligible patients.

Registration and OPD fees at Dr. Susheela Tiwari Memorial Hospital, Haldwani

Fees at government medical college hospitals are regulated by the state government and are substantially subsidised. Carry valid ID and any scheme cards (Ayushman, ration card) on your visit.

• OPD registration (general) — A nominal counter fee applies — confirm the current amount at the OPD Registration Cell (Ext. 3230) or at the billing counter on arrival, as government-notified rates are periodically revised
• Consultation charge — Consultation with a government doctor during OPD hours is subsidised; treatment, investigations and medicines at the hospital pharmacy are provided at government rates, which are substantially lower than private facilities
• Emergency services — Emergency services run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; no advance registration is needed
• BPL / indigent patients — Patients holding a valid Below Poverty Line (BPL) card may be eligible for fee waivers or reduced charges — inquire at the registration counter with your BPL documentation

Government schemes that help cover treatment at GMC Haldwani

All public hospitals at Community Health Centre level and above are deemed empanelled under AB-PM-JAY in states implementing the scheme. Uttarakhand implements both PM-JAY and AAUY.

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — Dr. Susheela Tiwari Government Hospital is empanelled under PM-JAY. Eligible families receive cashless inpatient treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary procedures. Carry your Ayushman card or Aadhaar-linked beneficiary ID.
• Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana (AAUY) — Uttarakhand's state-level universal health scheme provides cashless hospitalisation coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year. It covers all Uttarakhand resident families (barring income tax payers and those under CGHS/ECHS), with no restriction on family size or age. Pre-existing conditions are covered from day one. Government hospitals are included in the network.
• CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) — Central government employees and pensioners holding a valid CGHS card can avail treatment. Confirm the applicable referral and reimbursement procedures with the hospital's billing counter.
• BPL exemptions and state welfare provisions — State government notifications periodically extend free or reduced-cost treatment to BPL cardholders and other priority groups. Bring your BPL or ration card and ask at the registration counter whether a waiver applies to your visit.

Rates shown are as per the District Nainital — Government of Uttarakhand (Sushila Tiwari Hospital listing) (2024) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment at Dr. Susheela Tiwari Memorial Hospital (GMC Haldwani)

Dr. Susheela Tiwari Memorial Hospital operates a walk-in OPD model. There is no confirmed online booking portal currently available for this hospital — the official domain gmchaldwani.org was not accessible at the time of writing, and no national ORS (ors.gov.in) listing was found for this facility. Patients should plan to attend in person.

Arrive at the hospital campus on Rampur Road, Haldwani, on the day you wish to consult. Proceed to the OPD Registration Cell on the ground floor (internal extension 3230) or the OPD Billing Counter (extension 3141). Present a valid photo identity document — Aadhaar is widely accepted — along with any scheme card (Ayushman card, ration card) or previous medical records relevant to your visit. Pay the nominal registration fee, collect your registration slip and token number, and proceed to the relevant department's waiting area.

OPD hours run from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Doctors rotate across departments on different days of the week. Arriving by 9:00 AM gives you the quality chance of being seen within a reasonable wait; attending later in the morning will mean a longer queue. The hospital's 24-hour control room (05946-255255 or 05946-234104) can confirm which specialist is available on a particular day before you travel.

For emergencies, the Emergency Medical Department operates around the clock and does not require prior registration. Patients with acute conditions should proceed directly to the emergency entrance.

How long it takes to get seen

As a major government teaching hospital serving the Kumaon region, the OPD at STM Hospital handles a large patient volume across all departments. Wait times vary considerably by department, day, and time of arrival. Departments such as General Medicine, Gynaecology, and Paediatrics tend to see high footfall and may require waits of one to three hours on busy days.

Specialist clinics — Neurology, Urology, Gastroenterology — operate on rotating schedules, meaning a particular consultant may be available only on two or three days per week. If your condition is non-urgent, calling the control room (05946-255255) the day before to confirm the relevant doctor's schedule can save a wasted visit.

Patients referred from within the hospital — for example from General Medicine to Orthopaedics — may need to return on a different day if the specialist's OPD day does not coincide. Keep your registration slip as it may be needed when you return for follow-up.

What treatment costs and financial help is available

As a state government medical college hospital, Dr. Susheela Tiwari Memorial Hospital provides outpatient consultations, diagnostic investigations, and inpatient treatment at heavily subsidised rates. Registration fees, medicines from the hospital pharmacy, and standard investigations are charged at government-regulated tariffs that are a fraction of private sector rates.

For inpatient procedures, patients holding an Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY card or an Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana (AAUY) Golden Card are entitled to cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year, covering over 1,500 secondary and tertiary surgical and medical procedures. Both schemes cover pre-hospitalisation expenses (3 days) and post-discharge expenses (15 days). There is no waiting period for pre-existing conditions under AAUY.

Uttarakhand has made the AAUY a near-universal scheme: all resident families are covered except those who pay income tax or are already covered under CGHS or ECHS. If you do not yet have an Atal Ayushman Golden Card, you can apply through a Jan Seva Kendra or Common Service Centre using your Aadhaar and ration card. Central government employees should present their CGHS card and follow applicable referral procedures. BPL cardholders should inquire at the registration desk regarding any applicable fee waivers under current state notifications.

No confirmed rates for specific surgeries are published on a publicly accessible official page for this hospital; the schemes above govern what eligible patients will pay for inpatient procedures. For a clear estimate of what a particular procedure will cost under your scheme, ask the hospital's billing counter or contact the Uttarakhand State Health Authority.

Key departments at Dr. Susheela Tiwari Memorial Hospital

The hospital runs both pre-clinical and clinical teaching departments. Clinical departments providing patient care include: General Medicine, Tuberculosis and Chest Medicine, Dermatology and Venereology, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anaesthesiology, Radio-Diagnosis (Radiology), Neurology, Urology, Gastroenterology, and Dentistry.

The associated Swami Rama Cancer Hospital and Research Centre on campus offers radiotherapy services for oncology patients, with plans to expand to a full state cancer institute.

Department-specific OPD days rotate among consultants through the week. Patients travelling a distance should confirm day-specific availability by calling the control room before visiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book an appointment in advance for OPD at GMC Haldwani?

No advance booking is required. The hospital runs a walk-in OPD where you register at the counter on the day of your visit, collect a token, and are seen in order. Arrive early — OPD opens at 8:00 AM — to minimise waiting time.

Which documents should I carry to the OPD?

Bring a valid photo identity document (Aadhaar is widely accepted), any existing medical records or prescriptions relevant to your condition, and your scheme card — Ayushman card, Atal Ayushman Golden Card, CGHS card, or BPL ration card — so the billing desk can apply the correct concession or cashless treatment facility.

Is treatment free for Ayushman Bharat or Atal Ayushman cardholders?

Inpatient treatment for procedures covered under AB-PM-JAY and the Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana is cashless at empanelled government hospitals, including Dr. Susheela Tiwari Memorial Hospital. The scheme covers up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for listed secondary and tertiary procedures. Out-of-pocket costs for covered procedures should be zero; any gaps depend on whether the specific procedure is on the approved list.

What are the OPD hours and which days does the hospital work?

OPD runs Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Individual consultants rotate across different days of the week by department — call the control room at 05946-255255 or 05946-234104 to confirm whether the specialist you need is available on the day you plan to visit.

Who in Uttarakhand is eligible for the Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana?

The scheme covers all resident families of Uttarakhand who hold a valid state ration card or family register entry, except families with members who file income tax returns or are already enrolled in CGHS or ECHS. There is no restriction on family size, age, or gender. Apply for your Golden Card at a Jan Seva Kendra or Common Service Centre with your Aadhaar and ration card.

Can I consult a specialist directly, or do I need a referral?

For most specialties at government teaching hospitals, you can register directly for the relevant department's OPD without a formal referral from a primary care doctor. However, because specialist OPD days are fixed and rotate weekly, call ahead to confirm the day on which your required specialist holds clinic before making your trip.

Related

• Check your Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) eligibility
• CGHS rate list and how package rates work
• AIIMS Rishikesh appointment and OPD guide
• Government Doon Medical College appointment and OPD guide

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.