What happens, from referral to follow-up
Most people arrive with a scan result and a lot of questions. This is the sequence, from the first phone call to the follow-up appointment, and what to expect at each step.
Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane
Watkins Medical Centre, Spring Hill, or telehealth
A current GP or specialist referral is needed
At a glance
Needed for a Medicare rebate.
GP 12 months; specialist 3 months.
An extended appointment at Spring Hill, or by telehealth.
Scans reviewed with you on screen.
Greenslopes Private Hospital (adults).
Queensland Children’s Hospital (children).
At the rooms, with a written schedule.
Some conditions are reviewed with scans long term.
The sequence
Five steps, in order. Not everyone goes through all of them; many people stop at step three with a plan to watch and review.
Referral
A current referral from your GP (valid 12 months) or a specialist (valid 3 months) is needed for a Medicare rebate on the consultation. Ask for the images to be sent, not only the report; the scans themselves are what Dr Tollesson needs to see, and having them before the appointment means the first consultation can go straight to the options.
No referral yet? Call the rooms on (07) 3870 3708 and they will explain what to ask your GP for.
First consultation
An extended appointment at the Spring Hill rooms, or by telehealth for eligible regions. Your scans are reviewed with you on screen, in language that does not need translating. You will hear what the condition is, what it is doing, and what the options are, including not operating. Questions from family are welcome; bring someone to listen with you if you can.
Bring your referral, all scans, your Medicare and health fund cards, and a list of current medications.
Planning
Any further imaging, every option with its trade-offs, and the risks as they apply to you rather than in general. Nothing is booked until you have had time to think it over. If surgery is proposed you receive a written estimate of the surgeon’s fee first; informed financial consent is a normal expectation, not an awkward request.
Ask for the total out-of-pocket amount across surgeon, hospital, anaesthetist and assistant, in writing.
Surgery
At Greenslopes Private Hospital, or the Queensland Children’s Hospital for children. Operations are performed under the operating microscope, with neuronavigation for tumour surgery, and endoscopic or awake techniques where they help. Your next of kin is briefed after the operation.
Which hospital, your admission details and what to expect on the day are confirmed in writing before surgery.
Recovery and follow-up
You recover in hospital for a period that depends on the operation, then follow up at the rooms. You leave with a follow-up schedule and a clear idea of who to call in between. Results are discussed with you and your family, and some conditions are reviewed with scans over the longer term. A decision to watch is a decision, not a delay.
Medical certificates for you and your carer are provided at no cost.
What it costs, and what is covered
Costs are discussed before a date is set, never after. The figures depend on the operation and your cover, so they are given to you in writing for your own case.
A private consultation fee applies, with a Medicare rebate when you have a valid referral. If surgery is proposed you will receive a written estimate of the surgeon’s fee. The hospital, the anaesthetist and any surgical assistant bill separately, so ask for each; the rooms can tell you who to contact.
Gap schemes apply in some circumstances, self-insured estimates are provided for patients without private cover, and payment plans are available. Patients covered by DVA or WorkCover should tell the rooms when they book; WorkCover requires pre-approval before an appointment.
Private health insurance
Check with your fund before surgery that your level of cover includes neurosurgery and the hospital where the operation will take place, and ask about any waiting period or excess. The rooms can give you the item numbers your fund will ask for.
At Greenslopes Private Hospital, or the Queensland Children’s Hospital for children, with your next of kin briefed after the operation.
After surgery, and who to call
The rooms are the first point of contact during business hours. Outside them, the hospital and the emergency system are there for anything that cannot wait.
Before you leave hospital you will be told what is normal in the first weeks, what is not, and when your follow-up appointment is. Each treatment page describes the usual recovery for that procedure. Wound care, driving, return to work and flying are covered at the follow-up appointment, or earlier if you ask.
- RoomsQuestions, appointments, prescriptions and certificates: (07) 3870 3708, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
- HospitalAfter-hours concerns in the first days after discharge: the ward or hospital switchboard, using the number given to you on discharge
- EmergencyA sudden severe headache, new weakness, a seizure, confusion or drowsiness: call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department
- Your GPOngoing prescriptions, general health and the paperwork that goes with time off work; the GP receives a letter after every appointment
If you are unsure whether something can wait, call the rooms. Being asked is never a nuisance.
Dr Gert TollessonNeurosurgeon, Brisbane
Questions before your first appointment?
Short answers to the questions people ask most are on the questions page, and the rooms are happy to talk any of it through by phone.
Request a consultation
Send your details and the rooms will call you to arrange a time. Referrals are triaged as they arrive.
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. No referral yet? The rooms will explain what to ask your GP for.
Questions people ask
Short answers on referrals, appointments, costs and recovery.