secondary care

Secondary care refers to specialized medical services provided by healthcare professionals who typically see patients after initial assessment by a general practitioner (GP). It includes services like hospital specialists, clinics, or outpatient departments that diagnose and treat specific conditions requiring expert knowledge or advanced equipment. For example, a cardiologist or an orthopedic surgeon offering treatments beyond the scope of primary care falls into secondary care. This level of care often involves diagnostic tests, specialist consultations, minor surgeries, or ongoing management of complex health issues. Essentially, secondary care supports primary care by providing more specialized medical expertise when needed.