|
All patients need a current written referral to see a Specialist Surgeon or Physician. This is a rule of Medicare if you wish to access the rebate for your consultation and any other services. It is your GP [or other specialist] who will provide a letter of referral. GP referral is valid for 12 months and a Specialist referral is valid for 3 months. Bring any recent scans and test results with you to the appointment. No surgical procedures take place at the time of consultation. Some diagnostic tests may be ordered and you may be asked to return for a follow-up consultation when these tests have been completed. The Specialist keeps your GP informed of your progress following each visit. Your GP will have been informed about changes to your medication so further prescriptions can be obtained from your GP. Interpreters Citizens of Australia are entitled to a an interpreter for their consultation with a specialist, if their English is not good enough to fully understand the consultation, and they are unable to bring a friend or relative with good English. It is most important that you ask for an interpreter at time of booking your appointment. At least two weeks’ notice is required. Information for Referring GP Practices Appointments: Most of our Specialists only work one or two private sessions each week. At other times they are teaching, doing research, operating, or seeing patients in the Public system. If we cannot provide you with an appointment for your patient quickly enough, understand that we cannot over-fill a list if a Specialist has given us instructions not to do so. We do our very best to triage patients, and if the symptoms of your patient are considered to require urgent attention, sometimes it is best if the GP actually telephones the Specialist concerned. It may also be appropriate to refer your patient to an Emergency Department, If a patient lives in the country let us know in order that we can try to accommodate. Fees Ask what the gap will be for your patient at
the time of making the appointment. |