When can I make an appointment?
I see patients every Tuesday and every alternate Wednesday, however my secretaries are available to take your calls all week during regular office hours.
Where is the office located?
My private practice is based in the north-eastern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, approximately 10 kilometres from the city centre. It is locatd next to Warringal Private Hospital and over the road from the Austin Hospital.
Where can I park my car?
Please feel free to use the parking spaces behind the building which are provided for patients attending clinic appointments at 210 Burgundy St. The driveway is just to the right of the building. Tell the parking attendant that you have an appointment.
Where are the rooms located?
The rooms are located on the ground floor (Suite One) of the large brown brick building immediately to the right of Warringal Private Hospital. It is located on the narrow one way road parallel to Burgundy street which is accessible from Burgundy street directly opposite The Austin. Please come up to Ground floor and follow the signs to Suite One.
If you are using public transport, the Heidelberg railway staion is only 300 metres across Burgundy Street.
What should I do when I arrive?
Please present yourself at the counter and let us know that you have arrived. We endeavour to space patient appointments widely in order to keep waiting times to an absolute minimum, but occasionally I do run behind when dealing with particularly complex cases. We will let you know if there is a significant delay and I apologise in advance for any inconvenience.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring all necessary information to your appointments. In particular we need:
- a referral letter (if not already sent)
- all X-rays and scans (even very old ones)
- details of previous treatment or surgery
- a list of medications and past medical problems
It is also very useful to have a think about the questions you would like answered during our appointment. It is often useful to make a list of questions or bring a friend or family member to the consultation.
What if I need surgery?
I believe that it is essential that you fully understand all of your treatment options and the pros and cons of each, especially if we are considering a surgical treatment. Sometimes this will require a second appointment to allow you time to consider the possibilities and discuss them with family members, friends and other health-care professionals. At no stage should you feel pressured to make a decision about your treatment.
If we are considering surgery, I will run through a description of the procedure with you and explains the likely outcomes. I will also list the risks which are inherent in the procedure. Again, feel free to ask me questions. Next, we will sign a consent form giving me permission to perform the operation we have discussed. I will also give you some forms to complete and return to the hospital booking office to arrange your admission.
How much will it cost?
The cost of surgery is, understandably, always a concern for patients.
I charge $130 for your initial consultation and $70 for follow-up appointments. A portion of these costs are able to be claimed back from Medicare. There is no charge for the initial post-operative appointment.
I run a strict “No Gaps” policy on surgical fees in order to minimise out-of-pocket expenses for patients with insurance. This means that if you have private insurance my surgical fees will be completely covered by your insurance company. You will not be sent a bill from me for the surgery.
I recommend that patients talk to their insurers (or TAC, Workcover) prior to surgery to avoid any surprises. While my surgical fees should be covered there can be some additional expenses which are out of my control, such as some radiology costs and “Gaps” on anaesthetists fees. Please feel free to ask me during our appointment about the cost of treatment. |
