About your Procedure

Information detailing your procedure will have been supplied to you by your surgeon's or proceduralist's rooms. Please read this carefully.

The brochures provided will explain your procedure, its risks, the outcomes expected and alternative medical procedures. The information is provided so that you may give informed consent for your procedure. If you have any questions, please contact your surgeon's or proceduralist's rooms.

The brochure also includes instructions regarding your preparation for the procedure. Please follow these instructions carefully.

Pregnancy: Please advise one of our staff if you may be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding

Before your arrive

Referral Forms

Unless you have recently had a consultation with one of our specialists, the Australian healthcare system requires that all Australian citizens and visitors with Medicare entitlements have a referral from your general practitioner prior to booking your procedure.

Your referral will

Indicate the procedure required Outline the reasons for the procedure

Allow Medicare to pay its share of the procedure fee

It is important to bring the referral with you at your first physical contact (e.g., for colonoscopy on the day you collect your colonoscopy preparation and instructions, or for gastroscopy on the day of the procedure.)

For non- Australian patients without Medicare entitlement

A referral is not strictly necessary, but we would advise seeing a general practitioner to ensure you are directed to the appropriate health care provider.

Medical, Surgical and Family History

You will be asked to complete a form detailing these histories at your first physical contact with us. This is needed to ensure your appropriate care.

Colds or Illness

As the anaesthetic is intravenous and of short duration, colds generally do not prevent the procedure being performed at the time planned.

Appointment time

Colonoscopy patients will receive an appointment schedule at the time of collecting the preparation kit and procedure instructions. A member of our team will make telephone contact with all endoscopy patients on the day prior to the procedure to confirm the appointment time and to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your upcoming procedure .

If you wish to change your appointment please contact us as soon as possible on: (07) 3833 6701

On the day of the procedure

What to wear

Please wear loos comfortable clothing and low-heeled shoes. If you have contact lenses (which you take out at night) these will need to be removed before the procedure. Please do not wear jewellery, apart from your wedding ring. We recommend that you do not bring valuables with you.

What to Bring

If medications (including insulin, asthma sprays, eye drops, etc) are due during the time you will be with us, please bring these with you. You should also bring any aids you require (such as glasses or hearing aids). It is important that you bring your Medicare card, health fund details, Health car card and your pension card, if applicable.

The Surgery or Procedure

On arrival you will be greeted by the reception staff who will check that your admission details are complete. A nurse will then accompany you from reception into the clinical area where they will make you comfortable and get you ready. You will then meet the anaesthetist and proceduralists or surgeon. They will review your medical history, examin you and answer your questions prior to the procedure.

You will have received information regarding the procedure and you will be asked to affirm your consent to the procedure by signature (if you have not already done so). It is your right to request further details or clarification of your procedure, or to cancel at any time.

Information regarding the procedure is included in your procedure information handout.

Procedure Times

The care and safety of you and our other patients is paramount.

Whilst we endeavor to meet the procedure time scheduled, we can not guarantee this. Delays can arise due to issues including:

• Complications with a patient
• Additional time required for more extensive investigation
• Counseling patients and their families

In the event of delays, we ask you to be understanding as we believe you would want the our doctors and staff to take the time to provide you with a better procedural outcome.

Where delays occur, our staff commit to keeping you updated every 15 mins.