How to Add a New Specialty to an Existing DHA Clinic

Expanding an existing clinic by introducing a new medical specialty can help healthcare providers broaden their services, attract new patient segments and make better use of their existing facility.

However, a DHA-licensed clinic cannot simply start providing a new specialty without the appropriate approval. If your clinic operates under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the facility license must be amended to include the proposed specialty before the facility provides services under the updated license.

This guide explains how to add a new specialty to an existing DHA clinic in Dubai, including the license amendment process, documents, facility requirements, professional licensing and inspection considerations.

Can You Add a New Specialty to an Existing DHA Clinic?

Yes. DHA allows healthcare facilities with active or inactive facility licenses to request the addition or removal of a specialty through the Amend Facility License service.

For an active healthcare facility, adding a specialty can involve initial review, final approval and inspection depending on the amendment requirements.

The clinic should therefore confirm that the proposed specialty is compatible with its existing facility category, layout, infrastructure and approved scope of services before proceeding.

What Is a DHA Facility License Amendment?

A DHA facility license amendment is the process used to make approved changes to an existing healthcare facility license.

DHA’s amendment service covers changes such as:

Adding or removing a specialty
Changing the facility category
Expanding the facility
Changing the facility layout
Adding or removing applicable add-on services
Updating certain facility information

Adding a new clinical specialty therefore generally requires an amendment rather than applying for an entirely new facility license.

How to Add a New Specialty to a DHA Clinic

The process should begin with an assessment of the proposed specialty and the existing clinic.

Step 1: Identify the New Specialty

Clearly define the specialty or healthcare activity you intend to add.

Examples could include:

Dermatology
Paediatrics
Obstetrics and gynaecology
Psychiatry
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
ENT
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedics
Dental specialties
Other approved healthcare specialties

The requirements will vary depending on the specialty being introduced.

Step 2: Check Whether Your Existing Clinic Can Accommodate the Specialty

Before submitting the amendment application, assess whether the existing facility can meet the requirements applicable to the proposed service.

Consider:

Existing facility category
Available floor area
Consultation and treatment rooms
Patient flow
Accessibility
Medical equipment
Infection prevention requirements
Clinical support areas
Staffing
Specialty-specific requirements

Some specialties may require modifications to the existing clinic.

Step 3: Review the Clinic Layout

Adding a specialty may affect your approved floor plan.

For example, the new specialty could require an additional:

Consultation room
Treatment room
Procedure room
Therapy room
Diagnostic area
Equipment area
Clinical support space

If modifications to the existing layout are necessary, the revised floor plan may need to form part of the amendment process.

Planning this correctly before construction or renovation can help avoid unnecessary modifications later.

Step 4: Apply for DHA Amend Facility License

The facility’s delegated representative can submit the application through the DHA Sheryan portal.

The applicant should select the Amend Healthcare Facility License service and specify the applicable amendment.

For adding a specialty, select the relevant Add/Remove Specialty option and provide the required information.

Step 5: Submit the Required Documents

The exact documents depend on the type of amendment.

DHA currently identifies documents that may be required for facility amendments, including:

Floor plan
Updated trade license
Additional information applicable to the amendment

Not every specialty addition will require exactly the same documents.

The facility should therefore prepare its application according to the requirements generated for the particular amendment.

Step 6: Complete DHA Review

After submission, DHA reviews the amendment application.

During the review, DHA may assess whether the proposed specialty is appropriate for the:

Existing facility category
Approved premises
Facility layout
Available clinical spaces
Proposed scope of service
Applicable healthcare standards

If additional information, an inspection or trade license modification is required, the application may be returned to the applicant to complete the necessary requirements.

Step 7: Modify the Facility if Required

If the new specialty requires changes to the clinic, these should be completed in accordance with the approved requirements.

Depending on the specialty, modifications could include:

Creating additional clinical rooms
Altering room dimensions
Installing specialty-specific equipment
Modifying utilities
Improving accessibility
Changing clinical workflow
Adding infection-control provisions

Avoid making major physical changes before confirming the applicable requirements.

Step 8: Hire DHA-Licensed Healthcare Professionals

Adding a specialty to the facility license and licensing the healthcare professionals who will work within that specialty are separate requirements.

The clinic needs appropriately licensed professionals for the services it intends to provide.

Depending on the specialty, these could include:

Specialist physicians
Consultants
General practitioners
Nurses
Therapists
Technicians
Allied healthcare professionals

Professional licensing should be coordinated with the facility amendment process so the clinic is ready to provide the approved service.

Step 9: Prepare for DHA Inspection

For active facilities, a specialty amendment may be subject to inspection.

The clinic should be prepared to demonstrate that the facility meets the requirements applicable to the newly added specialty.

Inspection preparation may include checking:

Approved floor plan
Clinical rooms
Medical equipment
Infection-control arrangements
Patient safety
Accessibility
Professional staffing
Policies and procedures
Specialty-specific requirements

Any deficiencies identified during the process should be addressed before the new service begins operating.

Step 10: Receive the Updated DHA Facility License

Once the amendment has been approved, the facility license is updated to reflect the approved specialty.

DHA’s licensing policy states that the facility should provide services according to the details of the amended facility license.

The clinic should therefore wait until the specialty has received the applicable approval and appears within its approved facility scope before offering the new service.

Documents Required to Add a Specialty to a DHA Clinic

Depending on the proposed amendment, documentation may include:

Existing DHA facility license details
Floor plan
Revised engineering layout where applicable
Updated trade license where applicable
Specialty-related documentation
Healthcare professional licensing information
Additional documents requested during DHA review

The requirements can differ significantly according to the specialty and whether the amendment also involves changes to the facility layout or category.

Do You Need to Change the Trade License?

A trade license modification may be required where the proposed change affects the activities listed on the commercial license.

DHA currently states that completing applicable changes with the relevant trade licensing authority before requesting the facility amendment is optional.

However, if an updated trade license is required during the review, it will need to be completed before the amendment process can be finalized.

Do You Need a New DHA Facility License?

Usually, adding a specialty to an existing eligible healthcare facility is handled through the Amend Facility License process rather than applying for a completely new facility license.

However, the proposed specialty could affect the facility’s category or require more extensive changes.

For example, adding services that substantially change the nature or scope of the existing clinic may involve additional regulatory requirements.

The proposed expansion should therefore be assessed before the amendment application is submitted.

Can You Change the Clinic Category When Adding a Specialty?

In some cases, the number or type of specialties offered could affect the facility category.

DHA’s amendment service separately includes Change Category as an available amendment for active healthcare facilities.

This is why clinics planning substantial expansion should review both the proposed specialties and their existing facility classification.

How Long Does DHA Take to Approve a Specialty Addition?

DHA currently lists an average processing time of 5 working days for the Amend Healthcare Facility License service.

However, this should not be interpreted as a guaranteed timeline for the complete specialty expansion project.

The overall timeframe can be longer if the amendment requires:

Layout modification
Renovation
Additional documents
Trade license updates
Professional licensing
Specialty-specific approvals
DHA inspection
Correction of identified deficiencies

Planning these elements in advance can help reduce avoidable delays.

How Much Does It Cost to Add a Specialty to a DHA Clinic?

There is no single fixed total project cost for every specialty addition.

The overall cost can depend on:

Type of amendment
Specialty being added
DHA fees
Engineering drawings
Clinic renovation
Fit-out modifications
Medical equipment
Professional licensing
Commercial license amendment
Inspection requirements
Additional regulatory requirements

DHA states that the government service fee for facility amendments depends on the amendment type.

For budgeting purposes, clinics should consider both the regulatory fees and the physical cost of preparing the facility for the new specialty.

Common Mistakes When Adding a New Specialty

Avoiding common planning mistakes can make the amendment process smoother.

Starting the New Service Before Approval

Do not assume that an existing DHA facility license automatically covers additional specialties.

Hiring Before Checking Facility Eligibility

Before committing to a new specialist, confirm that the specialty can be added to your existing facility and understand the facility requirements.

Ignoring Layout Requirements

A specialty that requires additional treatment or procedure areas may require a revised floor plan or physical modifications.

Confusing Professional Licensing With Facility Licensing

Having a DHA-licensed specialist does not automatically mean the clinic itself is approved to offer that specialty.

Both the facility scope and healthcare professional licensing need to align.

Choosing the Wrong Amendment Type

Adding a specialty, changing the facility category and modifying the layout are different amendment considerations. A clinic expansion can sometimes involve more than one change.

Why Add a New Specialty to Your Existing Clinic?

Expanding an established clinic can provide several commercial and operational advantages.

Potential benefits include:

Expanding the range of patient services
Increasing revenue opportunities
Serving existing patients with additional treatments
Improving referrals between specialties
Better utilization of clinic space
Developing a multidisciplinary healthcare model
Expanding into growing healthcare segments

The expansion should still be based on patient demand, regulatory feasibility, staffing availability and financial viability.

Get Assistance With DHA Clinic Specialty Addition

Adding a new specialty to an existing clinic requires coordination between DHA facility licensing, commercial licensing, healthcare professionals, engineering design and inspection requirements.

Professional healthcare setup assistance can help with:

Specialty feasibility assessment
DHA facility license amendment
Documentation preparation
Layout modification coordination
Trade license amendment coordination
Professional licensing
Inspection preparation
Facility compliance support

Add a New Specialty to Your DHA Clinic in Dubai

If you are planning to expand an existing healthcare facility, start by assessing whether the new specialty is compatible with your current DHA facility license, category and approved clinic layout.

Proper planning before submitting the amendment can help reduce delays, unexpected renovation costs and licensing issues.

Planning to add a new specialty to your DHA clinic? Contact our healthcare facility setup team for assistance with DHA license amendments, documentation, layout requirements and inspection preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add another specialty to my existing DHA clinic?

Yes. DHA’s Amend Facility License service allows eligible active and inactive healthcare facilities to request the addition or removal of specialties.

Which DHA service is used to add a specialty?

The applicable service is Amend Healthcare Facility License, available through the DHA Sheryan system.

Will DHA inspect the clinic after adding a specialty?

For active facilities, amendments can be subject to inspection. The requirements depend on the proposed change and the facility.

Is a floor plan required when adding a specialty?

A floor plan is one of the documents DHA identifies as potentially required depending on the amendment type. Layout modifications may also be necessary if the new specialty requires additional or different clinical spaces.

Can my clinic continue operating during the amendment?

DHA’s facility licensing policy states that an active healthcare facility can continue operating under its existing license while the proposed amendment is being processed. The new specialty should only be provided in accordance with the approved amended license.

Does the new doctor need a DHA professional license?

Healthcare professionals must have the appropriate registration/licensing and be appropriately linked or activated under the facility before practising within their approved scope.

How long does the DHA amendment process take?

DHA currently states an average processing time of 5 working days for the Amend Healthcare Facility License service, although renovations, inspections, professional licensing and other requirements can extend the overall project timeline.