A Referral to see Simon is required to initiate the appointment process.
Referrals are available from your GP clinics and other medical specialists.
Once the Referral is received in our Rooms, Simon will triage the Referral and an appointment will be posted/emailed to you. Please ensure the referral states whether you are privately insured or not and that your contact details are correct.
There is a gap with the consult fee and you will be advised of this before your consult.
Your Health Fund will usually cover your entire operation fee (there is a small gap for some Health Funds). You will be issued with an Informed Financial Consent at the time of booking your operation, we recommend you take this quote to check your level of cover with your private health fund to know exactly what gap you may be expected to pay.
There are no costs for the first post-operative consult, but a standard follow up fee is charged if subsequent consults are required.
Workers compensation and MVIT consultation fees will be sent direct to the insurer. However, if the claim number is not provided you will be responsible for settling the account on the day.
Simon (and his anaesthetist) will assess whether any changes need to be made to your medications before admission. If you are on a blood thinner we will need to plan a strategy for this and this will depend on several factors (including the type of blood thinner and the reason you are on it).
Stopping smoking will greatly reduce your risks of chest complications, infection, and poor wound healing, as well as benefit your long-term health.
Exercise, weight loss and healthy eating will all improve your outcome.
Problems with your skin, teeth and nails need to be brought to our attention, as they can be a serious infection risk. Any teeth or skin infections need to be fully resolved before surgery.
Toiletries, pyjamas, daytime clothes, non-slip flat shoes, all medications, phone, charger, reading books and anything else you may need during your short stay in hospital.
If you have problems at home, then your first port of call is to ring Simon’s Reception on (08) 9721 2188 .
If you are unable to make contact with Simon’s Reception, the next port of call is to contact your GP.
The last option is to present to the Emergency Department of your local Hospital. If you are unwell this is the best option (especially out of hours) as there is always an on call orthopaedic team at Bunbury Regional Hospital.
There is detailed peri-operative advice on the website for hip replacement patients (link)
There is detailed peri-operative advice on the website for knee replacement patients (link)