FAQ
If you need to cancel your appointment please telephone the office during business hours and allow at least 3 day’s notice so that we can offer your appointment time to patients on our waiting list.
We recognise that your time is valuable, and we make every effort to run on time. Occasionally emergencies or patients require a little more time, and these cause scheduling delays beyond our control. We appreciate your understanding.
When you come for your appointment remember to bring the following:
1) Referral letter from your GP, family physician or other doctor 2) Your insurance information 3) Copies of operation records, medical records, x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans from prior doctor visits 4) If you have seen a physiotherapist, please bring a progress letter from the therapist
If your injury is covered by ACC, you will receive an individual claim number. ACC will cover the costs of the intial and subseqeunt consultations by a specialist and most investigations.
If you require surgery we will lodge an application with ACC on your behalf for funding. This can take up to 6 weeks to recieve a decision and you will be directly notified by ACC. If approval is gained an operation date can then be scheduled and the decision is valid for 1 year.
In this situation ACC always provide funding for another visit to your Surgeon to discuss the decline.
Your options are:
1) You may appeal ACC’s decision using the process outlined in your decline letter from ACC
2) If you have medical insurance, we can prepare an estimate of costs for you to consider.
3) You may pay for the surgery privately. We can prepare an estimate of costs for you to consider.
4) We may be able to refer you on to the public hospital system for your surgery.
We will issue you with an estimate for the costs of your surgery. This must be submitted to your insurer for pre-approval. Depending on your insurance type, your insurer may approve all or part of the cost.
After your operation you will recieve an invoice from your surgeon, the anaesthetist, a hand therapist and the hospital. This can be submitted to your insurer for payment to each party.
Discuss any medications you are taking with your surgeon, anaesthetist and your family physician to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery. If you are taking anti-inflammatory medications or warfarin or any drugs that increase the risk of bleeding you may need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimise bleeding.
Unfortunately no, someone will need to drive you home after your operation.
Yes, after most hand procedures arrangements will be made with a specific hand therapist for treatment, including wound checks, dressings, removal of sutures and other exercises specific to your condition.
Our office will provide you with a time to arrive at your designated hospital and a "nil by mouth" time that must be adhered to. "Nil by mouth" means NOTHING to eat or drink after the specified time. This includes chewing gum as this stimiulates the production of gastric juices.
If you need a medical certificate for work or ACC, please inform us and we will provide one during your clinical consultation or prior to discharge from hospital.
Your surgical wound must be kept clean and dry until it heals, usually around 10-14 days. If you have concerns about your wound please contact your family physician or our office. A hand therapist will usually review your wound at the appropriate time and remove your sutures if needed (depending on the suture type used).