Questions people ask
Short answers to the questions the rooms are asked most often, before and after a first appointment. Nothing on this website has to be done online, and the rooms are happy to talk any of it through by phone.
Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane
Watkins Medical Centre, Spring Hill, or telehealth
A current GP or specialist referral is needed
Before you book
Referrals, urgency and who does what.
Do I need a referral to see a neurosurgeon?
Yes. A Medicare rebate on a private neurosurgery consultation requires a current referral: valid for 12 months from a GP, or 3 months from a specialist. If you do not have one, call the rooms and they will explain what to ask your GP for. You can be seen without a referral, but no rebate is payable.
How soon can I be seen?
Referrals are triaged as they arrive and urgent cases are given priority, so tell the rooms if your GP has flagged the referral as urgent, or if your symptoms change while you wait. Enquiries sent through this website are answered the next business day.
What is the difference between a neurosurgeon and a neurologist?
A neurologist diagnoses and treats conditions of the brain and nerves with medication and other non-surgical care. A neurosurgeon is a surgeon who operates on the brain, spine and nerves, and who also advises when an operation is not the right answer. Many patients see both, and the two work together.
Does seeing a neurosurgeon mean I need surgery?
No. Many conditions are monitored with scans, treated with medication or referred for radiosurgery. A consultation is about understanding the options; an operation is only one of them, and a decision to watch is a decision, not a delay.
The appointment
What to bring, what happens, who can come.
What should I bring?
Your referral, all scans (the images, not only the reports), your Medicare and health fund cards, a list of current medications, and a family member or friend if you would like someone to listen with you. The first appointment page goes through this in more detail.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, and it is encouraged. Questions from family are welcome at every appointment, and a second pair of ears helps with remembering what was said. If you would like an interpreter, tell the rooms when you book.
Will I see my scans?
Yes. Your images are reviewed with you on screen at the consultation, not only described in a letter. This is why the rooms ask for the images to be released, not only the report.
Can I be seen by telehealth?
Yes, for patients in Medicare-approved regions and for many follow-ups. The rooms can confirm your eligibility when you book. Some assessments still need to be done in person, and the rooms will tell you if that applies. See the telehealth page.
Watkins Medical Centre, Spring Hill. Consultations in person or by telehealth, Monday to Friday.
Costs
Consultation fees, surgery estimates and cover.
What will it cost, and what do Medicare and my health fund cover?
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. Gap schemes apply in some circumstances, self-insured estimates are provided for patients without private cover, and payment plans are available. The fees page explains each of these.
Can I be treated without private health insurance?
Yes, as a self-insured patient, with estimates from the surgeon and the hospital in advance so that you know the full cost before deciding. Public hospital treatment is also an option for many conditions, and your GP can refer you to a public neurosurgical outpatient clinic if you prefer.
Are WorkCover and DVA patients accepted?
Yes. WorkCover and other compensable claims need pre-approval from the insurer before a consultation or surgery can proceed. Eligible veterans are treated under DVA arrangements. The rooms will tell you what is needed.
Surgery and afterwards
Hospitals, recovery and follow-up.
Where would I have surgery?
Adults are operated on at Greenslopes Private Hospital, which has neurosurgical services and intensive care on site. Children are treated at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Which hospital, your admission details and what to expect on the day are confirmed in writing before surgery.
What happens after surgery?
You recover in hospital for a period that depends on the operation, then follow up at the rooms. Your next of kin is briefed after the operation, results are discussed with you and your family, and some conditions are reviewed with scans over the longer term. Each treatment page describes the usual recovery for that procedure.
Can I get a second opinion?
Yes, and where a decision is finely balanced it is a reasonable thing to ask for. The rooms will send your imaging and correspondence to another specialist on request.
Do you treat children?
Yes. Dr Tollesson treats children at the Queensland Children’s Hospital and is a member of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery.
About the practice
Other websites and how this one is written.
Is this the same Dr Tollesson as drtollesson.com.au and bssq.com.au?
Yes. This site covers his brain surgery practice. Cervical spine surgery is covered at drtollesson.com.au, and his practice website, Brain and Spine Surgery Queensland at bssq.com.au, also covers spine and paediatric care.
Is the information on this site medical advice?
No. It is general information written to help you have a better conversation with your GP and your surgeon. It does not diagnose, and outcomes vary from person to person. Content is reviewed by Dr Tollesson before publication.
Dr Gert TollessonNeurosurgeon, Brisbane
Ready to talk it through?
A current referral is needed to book. If you do not have one yet, call the rooms on (07) 3870 3708 and they will explain what to ask your GP for.
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.
Before your appointment
What happens from referral to follow-up, and what it costs.