Our first appointment was as an inpatient while in the PICU and was just a basic getting history, symptoms etc and organising the required tests. From experience, with seeing many different specialists, the first appointments have always been as mentioned before. However as you are travelling if you have room to pack for a few days then it wouldn't hurt (we travel several hours and I always allow for a few days just in case.... I've been stuck in hospital several times with no change of clothes and no one close by to help... Not fun!)