The following provides general information only. Your surgeon and our friendly team may provide alternative instructions, and will of course be happy to answer any specific questions that you may have.

Consultation Patient

What to bring and wear

• Referral from you GP (first consultation essential, and as requested thereafter)
• Recent X-rays or imaging of the area of concern
• Medicare Card (partial claim only can be made on the day – see below. No bulk billing.)
• Any other Health Care Card
• Private Health Fund Details
• Payment for consultation (see payment options below)
• Please wear comfortable clothes that can be easily taken on and off

Time to allow for consultations

Please allow a minimum of 30 minutes for your consultation, and extra time for additional X-rays to be performed if needed. Subsequent consultations will usually take 15 minutes. Our aim is to meet your appointment time as closely as possible; however, to ensure our patients are attended to as appropriately as possible, appointment times, from time to time, can be delayed unexpectedly. We thank you for your patience in advance, and do suggest additional time is allowed should this be the case.

Payment options and claims

• Payment to be made on the day of consultation by either Cash, Cheque, Visa or MasterCard
• Medicare claims: No bulk billing.
• Health Funds: No claims facilities available. Receipt issued only for you to take/send to your health fund yourself.

Surgery Patients

Time to arrive for surgery

You will be contacted after 1pm on the DAY BEFORE your surgery to let you know what time to arrive the next day. (If you haven’t heard from us by 3pm, please call our office in case they have had any difficulty reaching you).

What to bring on day of surgery checklist

• X-Rays and/or MRIs
• Medicare Care Card
• Private Health Details
• If staying overnight, pack toiletries, pyjamas, slippers (with back), and loose clothing (if physiotherapy or other rehabilitation service is required)
• DON’T BRING valuables as the hospital does not provide facilities to secure these.

Blood tests and X-rays

For surgery in main theatres, please be prepared that blood tests and a chest X-ray may be done at the time of your pre-admission appointment. (Generally not required for day admissions; however, this will be discussed at your pre-admission appointment.)

Anaesthetist

The surgeon’s receptionist can provide you with contact details for your anaesthetist if you would like this.

Medications – What to stop taking

You must let your surgeon know if you are on any blood-thinning medication or Warfarin at the time of consultation as a weaning program needs to be put together for you.

Length of stay

An estimate will be provided to you at the time of consultation.

Crutches and other support devices

In most cases, these are issued by rehabilitation therapists and nursing staff during your admission.

Rehabilitation

This will be discussed with you during your admission. Please raise any concerns in advance if you have limited support at home.

When to pay your surgical bill

To be settled when you come in for your first post-operative visit in our rooms.

Post-operative visits

These appointments are made and issued as part of the operation booking process.

• Day surgery: Usually 10-14 days after surgery (surgeon’s consulting rooms)
• Main theatres: First appointment in the ward

Driving

• Leg surgery: As a general guide only, advisable NOT to drive for six weeks – consult with your physiotherapist and surgeons.
• It is very important that you also check with your car insurer about their requirements as you may not be covered.

Post-Operative physiotherapy

If needed, our office will coordinate for you.

Concerns or complications after surgery

Please contact your surgeon immediately if:

• You notice a lot of blood on your dressing and pain has increased
• Skin around your dressing becomes hot or looks red
• You develop a fever (i.e. 38°C or more), or are having chills
• Finding excessive swelling
• There is a problem with pins, staples or screws
• If your dressing gets wet or loosens
• You are experiencing side effects
• If anything else is concerning you

Should you be unable to reach your surgeon, please contact your GP or the Emergency Department at your closest hospital.

Recovery time

Your surgeon will guide you on this.

Discharge requirements

It is a strict requirement that someone escorts you from the hospital to home when you are discharged. You ARE NOT permitted to leave the hospital alone.

Note: Information and instructions subject to change without notice, and do not replace instructions and information provided by surgical and administration team members. Contact us if there is anything you are unsure about.

Medicare & Insurance:

Medicare pays for most consultations, our standard fee charged in this office is slightly more than the Medicare. This means that in most instances there will be a moiety of your surgical fee which will not be covered by Medicare and your health fund. If there is any problem with this it is important that you ask about this gap. Our staff are fully informed with changes and rebates and will be able to help you navigate your way through this area of your procedure.

Once it has been determined that you need an operation, our staff will be able to provide you with a cost estimate for your surgery. This can be a confusing area and the office staff will readily offer you assistance in navigating the financial part of your surgery. This includes help with paper work, hospital admissions, medical fund rebate and the like.

The standard fee charged in this office is the Australian Medical Association recommended fee. This means that in most instances there will be a portion of your surgical fee which will not be covered by Medicare or your health fund. It is important that you ask about this gap prior to receiving treatment. With respect to Orthopaedic surgery, some of the operations will receive a benefit from your insurer whilst others will not. We are able to give you the appropriate advice on all these matters and give you accurate estimates of what the final costs might be. Please be advised that when you have an operation there is a fee for your attending surgeon, his assistant, the anaesthetist and the hospital. Our staff are fully informed about charges and rebates and will be able to help you navigate your way through this complex area.

If you require more information, please do not hesitate to call us on (02) 9002-3140 during office hours.

Acceptable means of payment?

Private Health insurance allows you and your family to access the right health services at the right time. You have control of your health care and can choose the provider, facility and timing of your treatment. With the security and protection of private health insurance, you have access to an extensive range of private hospitals and can rest assured that your health is in good hands.

What are the Medicare rules about referrals to specialists?

If you want Medicare to help to pay for specialist medical services at the referred rate, it is essential to discuss your condition and possible referral with your family doctor before you see the specialist. Please note that the backdating of referrals is illegal and can result in heavy fines and prison sentences.