Patient information

Understand the patient journey from your first appointment through to preparing for surgery and recovery.

Your Patient Journey

We understand that dealing with a health issue can be stressful. Our team will try to make the experience as smooth as possible.

You can read more about what to expect from your first appointment, having surgery, and our fees and payment options below.

FIRST APPPOINTMENT

What to expect from your first appointment

Prior to your appointment

When you contact us to make an appointment, you will be asked which of our urologists you want to see and where you’d like an appointment.

You can make an appointment to see a specific doctor or the first available.

Once you’ve made an appointment, we’ll send you a letter confirming your appointment date, time, and location.

We’ll also send you a new patient registration form to complete prior to arrival.

Getting a referral

Prior to making an appointment, we ask that you get a referral from a GP or another specialist.

This is so we can make sure you see the right Urologist in an appopriate timeframe.

Sometimes we can also arrange additional tests before your appointment to streamline your care.

Having a valid referral also allows you to claim a Medicare rebate if you are eligible for Medicare.

At your appointment

At your first appointment, your doctor will discuss the reason for your visit, and ask you questions about this problem and your medical history.

Your doctor may recommend performing a physical examination. If this is required, your doctor will explain the reason for the examination and what to expect prior to performing the examination.

At the end of the consultation, your doctor will discuss your condition, the need for further investigations, and the treatment options available.

On site procedures

You may be asked to complete a voiding flow rate (VFR) at the time of your first appointment.

A VFR is a non-invasive test to assess the speed and pattern of your urine stream, and how completely your bladder empties.

If required, other minor procedures can be performed onsite at our Brisbane city office.

After your appointment

A letter summarising your appointment will be sent to your general practitioner or referring doctor.

You may be asked to return for another consultation to discuss the results of tests or to talk over your treatment options again.

If no further appointments are required, your care will be transferred back to your general practitioner.

HAVING SURGERY

Preparing for Surgery

Below are details of what to expect before, during, and after surgery. This information is general in nature. Please speak to your urologist or our practice nurses if you have any specific questions or concerns.

Deciding to have surgery

Deciding to have surgery is a shared decision between you and your Urologist.

Before deciding whether to have surgery, your doctor will discuss the nature of your problem, the anticipated benefits of surgery, and the alternative treatment options.

They’ll also tell you what will be done during surgery, what to expect during your recovery, and the risks associated with the surgery.

You will be asked to think over this information before deciding whether to go ahead.

Prior to surgery

Our team will book the hospital, anaesthetist, surgical assistant, and any equipment required for your surgery.

We will send you instructions for admission to the hospital, pre-operative fasting, and changes to your regular medications.

You will be asked to sign a consent for surgery confirming that you understand the nature of the surgery and the risks involved.

You may be asked to get tests done before your surgery, for example, a urine test.

Admission to hospital

Admission processes differ from hospital to hospital, so it’s important to read the information we send you.

On arrival, a staff member will check you in. You will then be taken to the operating theatre waiting room. There you will change into a hospital gown.

While every effort is made to minimise the waiting time, even in private hospitals, there will be some waiting.

A member of the nursing staff will check your blood pressure, pulse and temperature, and ask you questions about your general health. Your anaesthetist will come to talk to you about your anaesthetic.

You will then be taken into the operating theatre for your surgery.

After surgery

After your surgery you will be taken to the recovery room. You will be monitored and given time to recover.

If you are staying overnight, after you have recovered from the anaesthetic, you will be taken to the hospital ward.

When you’re ready to leave hospital, a staff member will go over instructions on how to take care of yourself at home. You will need to make arrangements for someone to collect you from the hospital on discharge.

It’s not always possible to plan the exact time of your discharge in advance. Hospital staff will contact the person taking you home, giving them ample notice when you can be collected.

If you have day surgery, you will need to have a responsible adult with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery.

Recovering from surgery

The time it takes to recover from surgery will vary between individuals and depend on the type of surgery you’ve had.

You’ll be given detailed instructions on what to expect during your recovery. There will usually be some limitations on working, driving and vigorous physical activity after surgery.

All our patients have 24 hour phone access to a member of our clinical team if there are any questions or concerns during your recovery.

FEES

Fees and Payment Options

We understand that navigating the costs of healthcare can be challenging.

We’re committed to clearly explaining our fees prior to your treatment so you can make an informed decision about your care. Our experienced administration team are able to assist you and answer any questions you may have about costs.

The Australian Medical Associations’s Guide for Patients on How the Health Care System Funds Medical Care is also a useful guide to understanding healthcare costs.