Plan an SSMC Visit in Abu Dhabi: Appointments, Emergency, Insurance & Patient Routes
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, usually shortened to SSMC, is a large tertiary hospital in Abu Dhabi for specialist, emergency, surgical, inpatient and complex-care services. The useful question for most patients is not simply whether SSMC is open, but which department, building and payment or referral route applies to the visit.
Quick answer: SSMC is in the Al Mafraq area of Abu Dhabi. The main appointment and patient-contact number is 800 7762. Standard outpatient hours currently published by SSMC are 8 AM–8 PM Monday to Thursday and 7:30 AM–5 PM Friday. Selected clinics also operate extended Sunday sessions. Emergency services operate 24/7.
When to use SSMC Emergency instead of waiting for an outpatient appointment
SSMC states that its Emergency Department operates 24 hours a day. Its emergency service handles acute and urgent medical and surgical problems, and the hospital also provides specialist trauma and burn care.
This page cannot assess symptoms or decide whether a specific condition is an emergency. If someone is seriously unwell, use the UAE emergency system or an appropriate emergency department rather than relying on online visit-planning information.
What Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City is
SSMC provides hospital-level specialist, surgical, inpatient, diagnostic, emergency and complex-care pathways rather than functioning as a small outpatient clinic.
The hospital’s official FAQ places SSMC in the Al Mafraq area near the Ghweifat International Highway, next to Fatima College of Health Sciences.
SSMC publishes this toll-free number for appointments and general patient enquiries.
The hospital states that its emergency services operate around the clock.
Current SSMC service information describes broad multidisciplinary care across medicine, surgery, paediatrics, emergency, imaging and other clinical areas.
SSMC publishes an insurance network and also provides financial counselling support for self-pay and non-insured patients.
Who operates Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City now?
Current SSMC information describes Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City as a subsidiary of PureHealth. This matters because older web pages and historic reports still describe the original SEHA–Mayo Clinic joint-venture structure.
That older partnership is important history, but it should not automatically be used as the current ownership description. PureHealth’s 2025 integrated report states that PureHealth acquired SSMC in February 2024, and SSMC’s current “Who We Are” page identifies the hospital as part of the PureHealth group.
SSMC is currently described by the hospital as a PureHealth subsidiary and a major tertiary-care institution within the PureHealth network.
In 2019, official material announced a joint venture involving Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and Mayo Clinic to operate SSMC. Treat that as historical context rather than current ownership wording.
SSMC outpatient clinic hours and Sunday extended services
SSMC’s current FAQ lists its standard outpatient operational hours as 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday and 7:30 AM to 5 PM Friday. These are general outpatient hours, not a guarantee that every doctor or department is present for the entire period.
| Day | Published outpatient guidance | What patients should confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday | 8 AM–8 PM | Confirm the exact doctor, department and appointment time. |
| Friday | 7:30 AM–5 PM | Some services may finish earlier or use appointment-specific schedules. |
| Sunday | Selected clinics 9 AM–5 PM | Sunday availability is not universal across every SSMC clinic. |
| Emergency | 24/7 | Emergency care follows triage, not normal outpatient booking. |
Which services currently have Sunday extended hours?
SSMC’s FAQ currently identifies Sunday 9 AM–5 PM sessions for selected services rather than publishing Sunday as a universal clinic day.
How to prepare for a Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City appointment
SSMC states that appointments can be arranged through its official website or by calling 800 7762. For a large tertiary hospital, identifying the correct clinical route before booking is more useful than simply asking for the next available doctor.
What happens when you arrive for an SSMC outpatient visit?
The current SSMC outpatient guide describes registration options for both scheduled and walk-in patients. It includes self-registration through kiosks or QR-code access and live queue updates.
Use your appointment information to confirm whether the service is in the Clinic Building, Hospital Building or another specialist area.
Follow the current reception, kiosk or QR-code instructions shown for your appointment route.
SSMC’s outpatient guide describes live queue updates for its registration system.
Ask reception if you are unsure. Walking to the wrong tower can add significant time on a large campus.
Major departments and services at SSMC
SSMC publishes a wide multidisciplinary service structure. The correct department depends on the patient’s referral, medical assessment and planned service; this list is for navigation, not diagnosis.
Acute and urgent medical and surgical presentations requiring immediate assessment.
Includes cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, haematology, internal medicine, nephrology, neurology, oncology, respiratory care, rheumatology and related divisions.
Includes general, bariatric, neurosurgical, orthopaedic, thoracic, vascular, urological and other surgical pathways.
General and specialist paediatric services, neonatal care, intensive care and subspecialty pathways.
Women’s health, pregnancy, gynaecological care and hospital-based specialist services.
Diagnostic imaging services supporting outpatient, inpatient and emergency care.
Specialised hospital care for critically ill patients, including intensive-care pathways.
Laboratory and pathology services supporting diagnosis, treatment and monitoring.
Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, physiotherapy and functional recovery services.
Specialist oncology treatment services with dedicated patient routing.
Perioperative and anaesthesia services supporting procedures and surgery.
SSMC provides advanced hospital-level emergency, burn and trauma services for serious cases.
How to find the right SSMC doctor without relying on an outdated list
SSMC maintains a large live doctor directory with filters for department, division, type, treatment and language. Because staff rosters, clinic assignments and availability change, a static list copied into an independent guide can become outdated quickly.
Use SSMC’s official doctor finder to filter by department or division, then check the individual doctor’s current profile and appointment route.
Do not choose a department only from symptoms on this page. Use your referring clinician’s recommendation or contact SSMC for the appropriate routing process.
Which SSMC building may contain your outpatient service?
The official outpatient guide maps different clinics to different desks and buildings. Your appointment message should take priority, but this overview helps explain why simply arriving at the hospital’s main entrance may not be enough.
| Area | Examples currently listed by SSMC | Planning point |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic Building | Cardiology, endocrinology, dermatology, internal medicine, paediatric services, nephrology, neurology and preoperative evaluation. | Check the desk number and clinic before entering the building. |
| Clinic Building | General surgery, gastroenterology, ENT, ophthalmology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery and wound care. | Several specialties are grouped under different reception desks. |
| Hospital Building | Haematology and oncology, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, clinical imaging and urology. | Hospital-building appointments can follow a different entrance and parking route. |
| Hospital Building | Obstetrics and gynaecology, day surgery, patient admission and rheumatology. | Procedure and admission routes may differ from standard clinic check-in. |
| Other specialist areas | Radiation therapy, clinical trials, infusion therapy, injection clinic, OPAT, psychology and international/executive services. | Confirm tower, floor and entrance before travelling. |
SSMC insurance networks, pre-approval and self-pay
SSMC currently publishes a broad insurance network, but an insurer appearing on the hospital’s website is not a promise that every plan or service is covered. Eligibility can change according to network tier, date of service, doctor, procedure, referral and pre-authorisation rules.
| Published insurer / plan example | Current SSMC wording to check | What you should confirm personally |
|---|---|---|
| Thiqa | SSMC currently lists categories 1, 2, 3 and 4. | Your current eligibility, required referral and service-specific approval. |
| Daman | SSMC lists multiple direct-access networks including high-end, mid-range, Royal, Mubadala, SSMC and SEHA networks. | Your exact network name and whether the doctor/service is included. |
| ADNIC | Published access differs by network, with broader direct billing for some higher network tiers. | Whether your tier is direct billing, emergency-only or restricted to specific centres/services. |
| Inayah | SSMC currently references Platinum and Diamond networks for direct billing. | Your active membership and any referral or approval requirements. |
| MetLife | SSMC lists several network levels and specifically notes that access remains subject to eligibility on the date of service. | Current eligibility, co-pay and planned-service approval. |
Questions worth asking before planned care
- Is my exact insurance card and network accepted for this doctor?
- Does the appointment require a referral?
- Does imaging, surgery, admission or another planned service need pre-authorisation?
- What co-pay, deductible or patient share may apply?
- If approval is denied, what document or clinical information is missing?
- If I am self-paying, can I receive an estimate before non-emergency treatment?
Self-pay and non-insured support
SSMC’s outpatient guide lists financial counsellors for self-pay and non-insured patients. Current published locations include the ground and first floors of the Clinic Building and Tower B in the Hospital Building, with financial-counselling hours listed as 8 AM–5 PM.
Payment methods
SSMC’s FAQ currently lists cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Apple Pay, manager’s cheque, company cheque, online payment and electronic bank transfer among accepted payment methods.
Documents and medical information to prepare before an SSMC visit
The exact paperwork depends on the visit. A specialist consultation, imaging appointment, surgery discussion, emergency visit and hospital admission do not follow identical document requirements.
Keep your Emirates ID where applicable, appointment confirmation, booking reference and the phone number used for registration.
Bring the insurance card or digital details, plus referral or pre-authorisation references already issued.
Bring relevant reports, discharge summaries, prescriptions, laboratory results, imaging and previous specialist correspondence.
Keep an up-to-date list of prescription medicines, supplements and known allergies where clinically relevant.
Ask whether you need the imaging request, insurer approval, old scans for comparison or special preparation.
Carry the referral letter and supporting clinical reports rather than relying only on a verbal referral.
SSMC parking: free patient parking, validation and valet routes
SSMC’s current parking guide states that free parking is available for patients. If the vehicle has been parked for more than 180 minutes, patients should validate the parking before leaving.
Use the Clinic Building main-entrance parking route. For validation, SSMC directs outpatients to the OPD welcome desk on the ground floor and asks for the car registration number.
SSMC lists Basement 1 and Oncology Parking for inpatient access. The central reception desk handles the published vehicle-validation process.
Emergency parking is reserved for emergency situations. The ED reception desk handles the published validation route.
A separate designated parking option is published for patients attending radiation treatment.
Practical tip: keep your vehicle registration number accessible on your phone. SSMC’s published validation process asks patients to provide it at the appropriate desk.
Open the current SSMC parking guideWhere is Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi?
SSMC’s official FAQ places the hospital in the Al Mafraq area of Abu Dhabi, on the Ghweifat International Highway side and next to Fatima College of Health Sciences. Its inpatient guide also references access near the E11 and E22 road network.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Al Mafraq.
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, PO Box 11001, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
SSMC’s inpatient guide describes the hospital as approximately 30 minutes from Downtown Abu Dhabi and about 90 minutes from Dubai city centre. Those are planning estimates from the hospital, not guaranteed journey times; traffic and route conditions can change.
SSMC pharmacy, refill delivery and useful patient contacts
SSMC’s current FAQ lists two pharmacies. The Tower B pharmacy in the Hospital Building is published as operating 24/7, while the Clinics Building pharmacy has separate operating hours.
| Service | Published information | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Main appointments | 800 7762 | Appointments and general patient routing. |
| Tower B pharmacy | Published as 24/7 | Hospital Building pharmacy service. |
| Pharmacy phones | 02 314 5550 / 02 314 5560 | Current pharmacy enquiries. |
| Finance | 02 314 6264 | Published patient finance support contact. |
| Medical Records | 02 314 5015 | Published medical-record support contact. |
| Patient Experience | 02 314 5005 | Feedback and patient-experience concerns. |
SSMC’s outpatient guide also describes medication refill and pharmacy-delivery options through its patient portal or call-centre route. Not every medicine or patient situation should be assumed eligible for delivery, so confirm directly with the pharmacy team.
How to request medical records from SSMC
SSMC states that patients may request medical records in person at the Health Information Management / Release of Information area on the ground floor of the Hospital Building, through the hospital’s published electronic route, or through the patient portal app.
Records SSMC says may be requested include
Current SSMC visitor hours and restrictions
The dedicated SSMC Visitor Guidelines page currently lists broader continuous visiting windows than some older FAQ material. Because official pages have not always shown identical visitor wording, the dedicated current visitor page should be checked on the day of the visit.
| Area | Current dedicated-page guidance | Published restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Inpatients | 10 AM–8 PM | Visitor limits apply according to care area. |
| Critical Care | 12 PM–8 PM | Maximum visitor limits apply. |
| ICU | Within critical-care rules | Visitors must be over 12 years old. |
| Emergency Department | Access depends on care needs | SSMC currently lists a maximum of two visitors. |
- SSMC currently states that visitors should wear a mask.
- Visitors with flu-like symptoms should not visit patients.
- Smoking and vaping are not allowed on campus.
- Outside blankets or pillows and electrical appliances are restricted under the published visitor guidance.
- Flowers are restricted except where specifically allowed by hospital policy.
Self-referrals, physician referrals and hospital transfers
SSMC publishes separate referral routes for patients, doctors and hospitals. The correct pathway depends on whether you are asking for a clinic appointment, being formally referred by another clinician or arranging a hospital-to-hospital transfer.
SSMC currently directs patients to call 800 7762 or use its official referral/contact route for clinic coordination.
Referring doctors can use SSMC’s online portal to provide patient details, medical information and relevant diagnostic documents.
SSMC publishes a separate Admission & Transfer Center number, 02 314 3000, for hospital-to-hospital inpatient transfers, with transfer support stated as available 24/7.
Coming to SSMC from outside Abu Dhabi or outside the UAE?
SSMC operates a dedicated international-patient service for people who need coordinated specialist care, second opinions or more complex travel planning.
The international hub describes priority scheduling and a designated representative during the patient’s visit.
SSMC states that tailored treatment planning and second-opinion consultations are available through this service.
The service describes designated parking, valet support, lounge facilities and coordination around diagnostics and subspecialty consultations.
Prepare before travelling
- Medical summary and specialist referral information.
- Recent laboratory and pathology reports where relevant.
- Imaging reports and image files where requested.
- Current medication and allergy information.
- Passport and travel documentation.
- Insurance, guarantee-of-payment or self-pay arrangements.
- Expected length of stay and companion requirements.
How large is Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City?
SSMC’s current Facts & Figures page publishes useful scale indicators. The patient-volume figures below relate specifically to 2025 and should not be interpreted as 2026 totals.
SSMC also reports more than 32,800 inpatient admissions, more than 10,600 elective surgeries and more than 7,200 emergency surgeries during 2025.
What to do if you have a complaint or unresolved patient concern
SSMC encourages patients to raise feedback through its Patient Experience route. Its inpatient guide publishes the Patient Experience Office on the ground floor near the main hospital entrance and the contact number 02 314 5005.
How to use SSMC reviews without treating them as medical evidence
Public reviews can be useful for practical signals such as parking, registration, communication or waiting experiences. They cannot establish whether a hospital or doctor is clinically appropriate for a specific patient or guarantee a treatment outcome.
| Review topic | What it may help you understand | What to verify officially |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting time | Whether extra arrival time may be useful. | Your actual appointment time and emergency triage process. |
| Parking | Potential navigation or validation issues. | The current SSMC parking route for your building. |
| Insurance | Questions other patients have encountered. | Your own plan, eligibility, approval and patient share. |
| Doctor communication | Individual patient-experience descriptions. | Official specialty, credentials, availability and referral suitability. |
| Emergency department | General experience reports. | Never delay urgent care because of an online rating. |
No fabricated star rating, review count or AggregateRating schema is used on this page.
Common SSMC visit problems and what to do next
Call 800 7762 before travelling and explain the referral or service you actually need. Ask whether the booking must be changed or re-referred.
Use the current doctor finder or call SSMC. Do not assume the general hospital schedule applies to every consultant.
Give SSMC the exact insurer and network name and ask about the planned doctor or service. Also confirm with the insurer when necessary.
Ask what was rejected and whether the issue is eligibility, missing referral documentation, medical information, network access or pre-authorisation.
Check your appointment details and ask reception for the building, desk, floor and route instead of moving between towers without guidance.
SSMC says patients can retain complimentary parking beyond 180 minutes by validating at the appropriate reception desk before departure.
Ask the receiving doctor which specific reports or imaging files are required, then use the SSMC HIM/ROI or patient-portal route.
Stop treating the situation as a booking or paperwork issue. Seek urgent medical help and call 998 for UAE ambulance support when appropriate.
Official SSMC and UAE sources used for this guide
The links below are the preferred final check for details that may change after publication.
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City — official website SSMC — Who We Are / current organisation information SSMC — official FAQs, appointments, outpatient hours, pharmacy and records SSMC — services and specialties SSMC — departments and facilities SSMC — current doctor finder SSMC — outpatient registration, clinic routing and patient facilities SSMC — current insurance network SSMC — parking guide and validation process SSMC — current visitor guidelines SSMC — inpatient guide and patient-support contacts SSMC — patient and physician referral routes SSMC — international-patient services SSMC — current facts and 2025 activity figures Department of Health – Abu Dhabi — complaint and healthcare guidance UAE Government — emergency numbers including ambulance 998Reviewed 6 October 2026. Doctor schedules, clinic hours, insurance networks, visitor restrictions, parking procedures and service availability can change after review.
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City SSMC FAQs
What is Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)?
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, commonly called SSMC, is a major tertiary hospital in Abu Dhabi providing specialist, emergency, outpatient, inpatient, surgical and complex-care services.
Where is Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City located?
SSMC is in the Al Mafraq area of Abu Dhabi, near the Ghweifat International Highway and next to Fatima College of Health Sciences.
What is the SSMC appointment phone number?
SSMC publishes 800 7762 as its main appointment and general patient-contact number.
What are SSMC outpatient clinic hours?
SSMC’s current FAQ lists Monday to Thursday from 8 AM to 8 PM and Friday from 7:30 AM to 5 PM. Selected clinics and supporting services also have Sunday extended hours from 9 AM to 5 PM. Confirm the exact clinic and doctor before travelling.
Does SSMC Emergency operate 24/7?
Yes. SSMC states that emergency services operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For a medical emergency anywhere in the UAE, the ambulance number is 998.
Does SSMC accept health insurance?
SSMC publishes an insurance network covering multiple insurers and plans. Eligibility still depends on the exact plan, network, doctor, service and any required pre-authorisation, so confirm before planned care.
Can self-pay patients use SSMC?
Yes. SSMC’s referral and outpatient information states that self-paying patients are accepted and that financial-counselling support is available.
Is parking free at SSMC?
SSMC states that free parking is available for patients. If the vehicle remains parked beyond 180 minutes, patients should validate at the appropriate reception desk before departure. Paid valet options are separate.
Does SSMC have a 24-hour pharmacy?
Yes. SSMC’s FAQ lists a pharmacy on the ground floor of Tower B in the Hospital Building as operating 24/7.
How can I request SSMC medical records?
SSMC says records can be requested in person at the Hospital Building ground-floor HIM/ROI section, through the hospital’s published records route or through the patient portal app.
What are the current SSMC visitor hours?
The dedicated SSMC Visitor Guidelines page currently lists inpatient visiting from 10 AM to 8 PM and critical-care visiting from 12 PM to 8 PM. Rules can change, so check the official visitor page before travelling.
Who owns or operates SSMC now?
Current SSMC information describes Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City as a subsidiary of PureHealth. Older official material documents the hospital’s earlier SEHA and Mayo Clinic joint-venture partnership, so historical descriptions should not be treated as the current ownership wording.
Medical, insurance and payment disclaimer
This page is an independent patient-navigation resource. It does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment recommendations, emergency assessment, insurance approval, financial advice or a guarantee of appointment availability, admission, doctor availability, price or treatment outcome.
Hospital services, doctors, clinic schedules, insurance networks, referrals, parking arrangements, visitor policies and payment requirements may change. Confirm important details directly with Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, your insurer, your treating clinician or the relevant UAE authority before acting.