Welcome to our Patient Hub
Our Patient Hub explains what to expect before, during and after your care, so you can make decisions with confidence. For anything not covered here, contact our Reception team.
How to book an appointment
Before booking an appointment, ask your GP for a referral. A referral is a letter from your usual doctor asking a specialist to see you for investigation, consultation, review or treatment.
You’re welcome to see our surgeons without a GP referral, but you won’t be able to claim a Medicare rebate for the visit.
You can book an appointment by phone, email or online:
– Phone: 03 9998 7418
– Email: reception@entspecialistsgroup.com.au
Your GP may suggest a particular ENT surgeon on the referral, but you’re free to choose your own.
A referral lasts for 12 months. A new or unrelated condition needs a separate referral.
How to prepare for your appointment
Please complete the Patient Registration Form and upload your referral letter before your appointment. This saves time on the day and avoids lost referrals.
- Your referral letter
- Any previous results for your condition, including hearing tests, blood tests and scans. We prefer the actual images or CDs over written reports, if they’re easy to get.
- Private health insurance details, and your DVA card if you have one
- Medicare card
- A list of the medications you take
It can help to write your questions down so your surgeon understands your concerns.
Depending on why you’re coming in, you might also need a procedure in the rooms, such as endoscopic examination of the nose and throat. This is a thin camera passed through the nose so the surgeon can look at your upper airway in more detail. Other procedures such as nasal cautery for nosebleeds or ear microsuction may also be required.
You’ll get an SMS one to two days before your appointment asking you to confirm. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please tell us as soon as you can so another patient can take the slot.
Payment is due at the end of your consultation. You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have a valid referral and a Medicare card.
Before any treatment starts, your surgeon will give you a written estimate of the fees you’re likely to pay. This is called informed financial consent.
At the Hospital – What to Expect
Our surgeons operate at hospitals across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Each hospital has its own admission process, and your surgeon’s team will share more information about this.
If you’re a private patient, you can choose from the hospitals where your surgeon operates. Your surgeon will talk you through which one suits your procedure, and whether your child needs a hospital with a paediatric ward. As a public patient, the hospital and surgeon are assigned by the public health service.
It depends on the procedure, your age and your general health. Some operations, such as grommets, are usually day surgery. Others procedures may need one or more nights in hospital. Your surgeon will tell you what to plan for at your consultation.
No. After a general anaesthetic or sedation, you must not drive. Please arrange for an adult to take you home and stay with you for the first night.
Most hospitals let one parent or carer stay overnight with their child. Rules vary between hospitals, so check with the hospital when you receive your admission details. Our reception team can also help.
Pain may be encountered after surgery. Patients are usually sent home with pain killers which should controll pain. Bleeding from the mouth or nose may also occur. If there is heavy bleeding, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department. If you have any concerns please contact our reception. If it is afterhours please attend your nearest emergency department. Your discharge information will explain what to watch for. See Post-Operative Care.
It depends on the operation. As a rough guide, grommets usually need a day or two, sinus surgery around one to two weeks, and tonsillectomy around two weeks. Your surgeon can give you a medical certificate and a plan for your return to work, school or childcare.
General FAQ’s
Yes. Tell our reception team if your problem is urgent, and they’ll arrange the earliest appointment available. Your GP practice can also call up on your behalf and request for an earlier appointment In an emergency, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Most people find it mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. You may feel pressure, or want to sneeze or cough. A numbing and decongestant spray can be used if discomfort is encountered.
Recovery depends on the operation. Many people are back to normal activities within a day or 2 if the procedure is minor. Other operations may require 2 weeks to recover. Your surgeon will give you a recovery plan specific to your procedure.
Ask for the Medicare item numbers on your written estimate. Then call your health fund and ask:
- Whether your hospital cover includes the procedure
- What excess or co-payment applies
- Whether your surgeon and anaesthetist use a no-gap or known-gap arrangement with your fund
Every operation carries some risk. General risks include bleeding, infection and reactions to the anaesthetic. Each procedure also has its own specific risks. Your surgeon will explain the risks that apply to you, along with other options, including not having surgery, before you decide.
It depends on the operation. After tonsillectomy, it’s usually best to stay close to home for about two weeks because of the risk of bleeding. After ear or sinus surgery, changes in cabin pressure can cause problems, so you may need to wait longer. Check with your surgeon before booking any travel.
