Before seeing me
We are here for you and it is very important to us that you are treated as a person and not just as a condition. We also understand that it can be a stressful time for you so we hope this information will help make the consult seamless and provide an outcome for you. I know that a diagnosis of probable cancer makes people anxious, so I will fit you in as soon as possible.
Your first appointment
Your general practitioner or another specialist would have referred you to me so it is important to bring to this appointment the following:
- Your referral letter
- Any radiology, blood tests or smear results
- Relevant correspondence from any other medical practitioners
- If you have been asked to have certain tests prior to the appointment please ensure that they are completed in time to have results at the appointment
- Prescription medications including dosage
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours prior to your appointment on +64 9 520 9361.
What should I expect?
Initial consultations usually last for 45 minutes, depending on the complexity of the problem. This allows for a comprehensive discussion of your history, to perform any necessary examinations and to formulate a management plan. Follow up visits are usually 15 minutes.
Please feel free to bring a support person if you wish.
New patient registration
On arrival, all new patients will be asked to fill in a registration form with contact numbers, general practitioner contact details for correspondence, brief medical history and any insurance details.
Fees and payment
Full payment of fees is expected on the day unless you have a prior approval number and may vary depending on individual circumstances or procedures that are performed. Please feel free to discuss this when booking your appointment.
All major credit cards are accepted except American Express. EFTPOS facilities area available.
If surgery is required, you will be given an estimate of costs to you. The initial quotation is an estimate only; costs may vary depending on the final procedures performed in surgery.
Test results
Sometimes you have tests or biopsies at the initial consult or after surgery. We ask that you ring in a week for any biopsy results. Your pathology results are usually available 7-10 days after major surgery, we will ring you with the results and a copy is also sent to your referring general practitioner. I will discuss the results again at your postoperative visit.
Should you require surgery
What happens before surgery?
Sometimes the decision to have surgery is made after the initial consultation. If that’s the case with you I will discuss the surgical procedure with you and provide you with written information about that procedure.
Normally all preoperative tests can be organized, a consent form is signed and a date set for surgery made after this initial consultation.
In the case of major procedures or if we suspect you have cancer, a second visit is usually needed. It may be necessary to have further blood tests or imaging to delineate the problem before any treatment.
Also, all cancer cases are discussed at weekly multidisciplinary meetings attended by a team of specialists: gynaecological oncologists, pathologists, medical and radiation oncologists, as well as a radiologist. This approach allows for all investigations to be reviewed and a treatment plan worked out by a group of specialists.
What happens after major surgery? (Post-operative)
I will see you 10-14 days following your discharge from hospital to discuss the histology results (an analysis of a tissue sample) review your recovery, and help you on your way as much as possible.
Please ensure that you telephone the reception to make these post-operative appointments. Fifteen minutes is all people usually need.
