General Surgery

We provide elective and emergency surgical services for patients needing general surgery.

Our services

Our General Surgery Department performs a wide range of surgical procedures including:

• laparoscopic surgery
• trauma
• abdominal surgery
• breast surgery
• endocrine
• paediatric
• colorectal
• upper gastrointestinal (GI)
• skin cancer
• varicose veins.

When will my appointment be?

Your confirmation letter, email or text message will tell you when your appointment will be.

Please allow at least two hours for your appointment. You may need to allow time for additional tests or treatments before or after your appointment.

We apologise if your appointment is delayed or running late. Our doctors and specialists can sometimes be called away urgently to other hospital departments. This applies if your appointment is in the hospital, by phone, or virtually (telehealth video call).

What do I do when I arrive for my appointment?

If your appointment is at the hospital you will be able to check into your appointment using the self-service Kiosks.

You will need to scan the barcode on your appointment confirmation letter, or swipe your Medicare card if you don’t have your letter with you.

Volunteers or staff will be available to help you check in at the Kiosk if needed.

If your personal details have changed, for example your phone number, address, Medicare card, or GP, you will need to present to the clinics reception counter so that staff can update your details on the hospital system.

What do I do after my appointment?

Please present to the clinic reception counter after your appointment to check out, this includes if it was your last appointment at the hospital.

All patients are required to go to reception prior to leaving as you may be required to sign a Medicare bulk billing form (where applicable). Staff will also need to confirm that your details are accurate on the hospital system. In some instances, staff may be able to book your next appointment with you while you are at the counter.

If you need to wait in line, please remember physical distancing is important.

How do phone and virtual (telehealth video call) appointments work?

If you have a phone appointment your clinician will contact you on the phone number you provided to the hospital. If your phone number has changed please call us to update your details before your appointment.

If you have a virtual (telehealth video call) appointment you will receive additional information from us that will explain how to attend your virtual appointment

How to access this service

To access this service, your GP or medical practitioner will need to send a referral letter to the hospital.

If there is no waiting list you will be offered an appointment by the hospital.

If there is a waiting list, you will receive a referral acceptance letter and be advised on what to do next. When an appointment becomes available, you will be contacted by the hospital with an offer of an appointment. You will need to confirm your ability to attend, or contact the hospital to arrange a more suitable time. If you do not confirm your ability to attend, the hospital will not be able to hold the appointment for you and will offer it to another patient.  While waiting for an appointment, we ask that you contact the hospital to update your personal details if they have changed since your referral was accepted.

After your hospital appointment

Your doctor may advise that you require surgery. If this is the case you will be placed on a surgical waiting list and may need to attend the Pre-admission Clinic before your surgery.

What to bring