OPD Guide: Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospitals, New Delhi

Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), established in 1916, is a central government institution under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It runs two teaching hospitals on its New Delhi campus: Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital (SSK), with 877 beds, which provides general and specialist care with a strong focus on women's health; and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital (KSC), with 350 beds, which handles paediatric care for patients aged 0–18. Together they see over 3,000 outpatients on a typical working day.

OPD registration at both hospitals is free of charge. Appointments can be booked online through the national ORS portal (ors.gov.in) or at the walk-in registration counter on the hospital campus. Because both hospitals draw large volumes of patients, arriving early — before the registration window closes — is important. Eligible patients with an Ayushman Bharat card, a Delhi Arogya Kosh referral, or CGHS coverage can access treatment under those schemes without additional charges.

Registration and OPD fees at Lady Hardinge Medical College (SSK & KSC Hospitals)

Fee information is based on the hospital's publicly stated policy as a central government hospital. Confirm current charges at the registration counter or on lhmc-hosp.gov.in before your visit, as rates may be revised.

• OPD registration fee — Free (no charge at the counter or via the ORS portal)
• Outpatient consultation fee — Free for all patients
• Emergency / casualty services — Available 24 hours, 7 days a week — no registration fee
• Laboratory tests and X-rays — Charged at nominal government rates; subsidised or free for eligible beneficiaries
• Medicines (hospital pharmacy) — Dispensed at government-approved rates; free for those covered under PM-JAY or BPL provisions

Government schemes that help cover treatment

Scheme eligibility and documentation requirements change periodically. Verify your coverage status and required documents with the relevant scheme authority or the hospital's social welfare desk before your visit.

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — Coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for listed secondary and tertiary procedures. LHMC/SSK Hospital is empanelled. Carry a valid Ayushman card and ID proof.
• Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) — Financial assistance for serious and life-threatening illnesses for Delhi residents with annual family income up to Rs 3 lakh. The treating doctor at a recognised government hospital initiates the application; funds are transferred directly to the hospital. LHMC/SSK Hospital is included among recognised institutions.
• Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) — Central government employees and pensioners holding a CGHS card can receive treatment at LHMC/SSK/KSC without a referral slip for most services. CGHS wellness centre referral may be needed for certain specialist departments.
• BPL / EWS exemption — Patients holding a valid BPL (Below Poverty Line) card are entitled to free or heavily subsidised treatment. Bring the original BPL card and a photocopy at the time of registration.
• ESIC (Employees' State Insurance) — ESIC beneficiaries may be referred to LHMC through their ESIC dispensary for specialist care not available within the ESIC network.

Rates shown are as per the Lady Hardinge Medical College & associated SSK & KSC Hospitals — official website (2026) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment at Lady Hardinge Medical College (SSK & KSC Hospitals)

There are two ways to register for OPD: online through the national ORS portal, or in person at the hospital's registration counter.

Online via ORS portal (ors.gov.in): Visit ors.gov.in and select Book Appointment. Verify your mobile number with an OTP. Choose Delhi as the state, then search for 'Lady Hardinge Medical College' or 'Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital' (for SSK) or 'Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital' (for KSC). Select the department, pick an available date — green slots are open, red ones are full — and choose a time slot. You will receive an SMS confirmation with your appointment number. An Aadhaar number or ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID is needed for verification.

Walk-in at the registration counter: Arrive at the counter before the closing time. Bring any previous medical records and an ID document. A registration slip is issued on the spot and the consulting doctor will see you during OPD hours the same day.

Teleconsultation: The hospital also offers video consultations through lhmc-hosp.gov.in for patients who cannot visit in person. Check the website for available departments and slots.

• Online booking: ors.gov.in — search for LHMC or SSK Hospital or Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital
• Walk-in registration counter, SSK Hospital: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM; Saturday 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM; closed Sunday
• Walk-in registration counter, KSC Hospital: Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM; closed Sunday
• OPD consultation hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (all working days), with special clinics 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Emergency and casualty: open 24 hours, 7 days (Casualty: 23408300; Gynaecology emergency: 23408374)
• Aadhaar or ABHA ID is needed for online booking; carry ID and past records for walk-in

How long it takes to get seen

LHMC and its associated hospitals are high-volume tertiary-care institutions that see over 3,000 outpatients daily. Realistic expectations help patients plan their visit.

For patients who book through the ORS portal, a time slot is assigned in advance, which reduces — but does not eliminate — waiting at the consultation area. Arriving a few minutes before your slot time is advisable.

Walk-in patients are seen in the order their registration slips are issued. Because the registration counter at SSK Hospital closes at 11:30 AM (11:00 AM on Saturday), patients who arrive after that window must return the following working day or book online. Arriving before 9:00 AM on busy days is common practice to secure an early token.

Waiting time in the consultation area varies considerably by department and day. Departments like Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and General Medicine are typically the most in demand. Patients should expect to spend two to four hours at the hospital from registration to consultation on a typical working day, with some departments running longer. Special-clinic afternoon sessions (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM) tend to be less crowded.

For the Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, the registration window opens at 8:00 AM; parents with young children are advised to arrive early to avoid long queues.

What treatment costs and financial help is available

As a central government hospital, LHMC and its associated hospitals provide outpatient consultations and emergency care free of charge to all patients. Laboratory investigations and imaging are available at nominal government-approved rates.

Inpatient treatment — including surgery — follows government rate schedules rather than private hospital tariffs. Patients covered under PM-JAY can access cashless inpatient care up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for listed procedures without paying out of pocket, provided they present a valid Ayushman card at the hospital's scheme desk before admission.

Delhi residents with serious illnesses who cannot afford treatment costs can apply for support under the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK). The application is initiated through the treating doctor at the hospital and assessed by the DAK authority; funds are transferred directly to the hospital, not as cash to the patient. Eligibility requires Delhi residency of at least three years and annual family income below Rs 3 lakh.

Central government employees and pensioners with a CGHS card can use LHMC/SSK/KSC under CGHS without paying separately, subject to their specific CGHS wellness centre's referral requirements for certain specialties.

Patients holding a valid BPL card should inform the registration counter at the time of registration; they are entitled to further subsidies or exemptions on investigations and medicines.

Key departments at SSK Hospital and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital

SSK Hospital covers a wide range of specialties. Departments commonly accessed through OPD include: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Medicine, General Surgery, Psychiatry, Dermatology, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Neurology, Radiation Oncology, Community Medicine, and Chest Diseases and Respiratory Medicine.

The Department of Microbiology at LHMC holds WHO Collaborating Centre status for reference and training in streptococcal diseases for the South-East Asia region.

Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital provides dedicated paediatric services, including General Paediatrics, Paediatric Surgery, Neonatology, Paediatric Neurology, Paediatric Cardiology, Paediatric Gastroenterology, Haematology, and Paediatric Oncology, for patients aged 0–18 years.

Special clinics with more focused consultations operate in the afternoon (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM) on all working days. Check the OPD and Special Clinics section of lhmc-hosp.gov.in for the current departmental schedule before your visit, as timings and clinic days may change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can male patients get treatment at Lady Hardinge Medical College / SSK Hospital?

Yes. Since 1991, SSK Hospital has extended its OPD and inpatient services to male patients in addition to women and children. The Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital treats boys and girls both up to age 18.

Do I need an Aadhaar card to register at LHMC?

Aadhaar is required for online booking through the ORS portal (ors.gov.in) for identity verification and OTP authentication. For walk-in counter registration, bring any government-issued photo ID. If you do not have Aadhaar, an ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID is also accepted on the portal.

What documents should I carry for my first OPD visit?

Bring a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, voter card, or similar), any existing medical records, investigation reports, and previous prescriptions related to your condition. If you intend to use PM-JAY, carry your Ayushman card. For BPL exemptions, carry your original BPL ration card. CGHS beneficiaries should carry their CGHS card and, where required, a referral from their wellness centre.

Is teleconsultation available at LHMC, and how do I access it?

The hospital offers teleconsultation (video consultation) for patients who are unable to visit in person. Access is available through the official website lhmc-hosp.gov.in. Check the site for which departments offer teleconsultation and the available time slots, as availability varies by specialty.

How do I apply for Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) assistance at Lady Hardinge Hospital?

You do not apply directly online. First, attend the OPD and receive a diagnosis from the treating doctor. If your condition qualifies — typically a serious or life-threatening illness requiring costly treatment — the doctor initiates the DAK application on your behalf through the hospital's administrative department. You will need to submit proof of Delhi residency (minimum three years), an income certificate showing annual family income below Rs 3 lakh, and relevant medical documents. The DAK authority then reviews the case and, if approved, transfers funds directly to the hospital.

What is the fastest way to avoid long queues at SSK Hospital OPD?

Book your appointment in advance through the ORS portal (ors.gov.in), which assigns you a specific time slot and reduces walk-in waiting. If you must attend as a walk-in, arrive at the registration counter before 9:00 AM to receive an early token. For less urgent consultations, the special-clinic afternoon sessions (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM) are generally less crowded than the morning OPD.

Related

• Check your Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) eligibility
• CGHS rate list and how package rates work
• Safdarjung Hospital appointment and OPD guide
• Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital 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.