Suits the patients (5)
I believe the answer is:
cases
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'suits' is the first definition.
('case' can be a synonym of 'suit')
'patients' is the second definition.
('case' can be a synonym of 'patient')
'the' is the link.
(Other definitions for cases that I've seen before include "Lawsuits or pieces of luggage" , "Bags" , "Proceedings in a court of law" , "Pieces of luggage and legal proceedings" , "Lawsuits or travelling containers" .)