In medicine, tertiary healthcare is specialized consultative care, usually on referral from primary or secondary medical care personnel, by specialists working in a center that has personnel and facilities for special investigation and treatment.

Specialist cancer care, neurosurgery (brain surgery), burns care and plastic surgery are examples of tertiary care services.

In comparison, secondary medical care is the medical care provided by a physician who acts as a consultant at the request of the primary physician.

See also

• Primary care
• Secondary care
• Quaternary care
• Tertiary referral hospital