About your Procedure
You will be provided with initial information over the phone and via email at the time of scheduling your appointment and depending on your procedure type. In addition, you will receive written information from the nurse during your prep appointment. A copy of our Patient Information Brochure will also be made available to you before your procedure.
If there is anything you have not been advised of, or you are unsure of, please contact our bookings team on 07 3833 6701 or via email at bookings@montserrat.com.au
Before your arrive:
Unless you have recently had a consultation with one of our specialists, the Australian Healthcare System requires that all Australian citizens and visitors with Medicare entitlements have a current referral from your GP prior to booking your procedure. It is also the preference of our surgeons so they can ensure you are treated appropriately based on your individual medical situation and history.
Your referral will:
- Indicate the procedure/s required and outline the reason for the procedure
- Allow Medicare to provide payment for its share of the fees
It is important to provide the referral prior to your visit or to bring the referral with you at your first appointment.
If you are a non-Australian patient and don’t have a Medicare entitlement, a referral is not strictly necessary, however our Specialists do recommend you visit a GP first to ensure you are directed to the correct specialist for your individual needs.
Medical, Surgical and Family History
Prior to any appointment at Montserrat, you will need to complete a health assessment. This can be done online by clicking here or in person on the day of your first appointment. This form is required to ensure you receive the appropriate care. If you are a returning guest, you will need to complete a new Health Assessment every 12 months. Ensure you check all existing printed information is correct and that you complete all other sections.
Colds or Illness
As the anaesthetic is intravenous and short of duration, colds generally do not prevent the procedure from being performed at the time planned, however it is recommended you speak with one of our nurses just to be sure.
Appointment Time
When making an appointment, you will be given an appointment and arrival time. These are only tentative until 2 days prior to the appointment when we reconfirm. We try our best to keep your appointment at the initial time however there are factors that can affect this such as last minute cancellations or medical reasons. We ask that you set aside the entire day of your procedure to account for these possible time changes and your recovery time.
Appointment Confirmation
Two days prior to when you are due to have your procedure, a member of our Bookings team will contact you to confirm the arrival time of your procedure (in case there have been changes) and also to advise the costs associated with your procedure, dependent on your individual situation. Montserrat has a strict Pre-Payment policy where all amounts are due for payment at the time of this call to ensure all patients are confirmed and this isn’t required to be settled on the day, so you can focus on your admission. If you are unable to proceed, we can certainly refund any amounts pre-paid.
If you need to cancel or change your appointment, please phone our bookings team as early as possible on 07 3833 6701 or via email bookings@montserrat.com.au
On the day of the procedure
What to Wear
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and low-heeled shoes. You will be given the option to wear a gown but most often the procedure is performed whilst you are in your personal clothes. If you wear contact lenses (which you remove at night), these will need to be removed before the procedure. Please do not wear jewellery, we recommend that you don’t bring any valuables with you on the day.
What to Bring
If any of your regular medications (insulin, asthma sprays, eye drops, heart medication etc.) are due during the time you will be with us, please bring these to hospital. You should also bring any aids you require (such as glasses or hearing aids).
The Procedure
On arrival, you will be greeted by our reception staff who will check your complete admission details and provide you with the necessary documents that require reading and signing. A nurse will then accompany you to the clinical area where they will make you comfortable and get you ready. You will then meet the Anaesthetist and Specialist. They will briefly review your medical history, examine you and answer your questions prior to the procedure.
You will be asked to provide consent to the treatment by signature (if you have not already done so). It is your right to request further details or clarification of your procedure, or to cancel at any time.
Procedure Times
Whilst we always endeavour to meet the procedure time scheduled, we can’t always guarantee this. Delays can arise due to issues including:
- Complications with a patient
- Additional time required for more extensive investigation
- Counselling patients and their families
In the event of delays, please be understanding as we would take this time with you to achieve the best possible procedural outcome as much as every other Montserrat patient. If there are delays, our reception staff will keep you informed as a courtesy and to best manage your expectations.
