FAQs
General Questions
A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases of digestive organs. The digestive organs include the digestive tract, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, as well as related organs, the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Problems associated with the following areas are normally evaluated by a gastroenterologist are:
- Abdominal pain
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Rectal bleeding
- Heartburn
- Swallowing trouble
- Weight loss
- Jaundice
Colorectal surgeons are experts in the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of colon and rectal problems. They have completed advanced training in the treatment of colon and rectal problems in addition to full training in general surgery.
Before seeing any medical specialist, it is always preferable to talk to your own family doctor, who can discuss your condition with you and advise on whether any specialist care is appropriate. If it is, they can help you to choose the specialist best suited to your needs. Your family doctor can help the specialist to care for you better by providing relevant information about your health. Communicating with the specialist will also enable your family doctor to care for you better during and after your specialist treatment.
Yes, a referral is required to see our consultants. One can be obtained from a GP or specialist that is treating you.
- Your health insurance information
- A referral from your General Practitioner (this must be less than 12 months old) or specialist (this must be less than 3 months old)
- All pertinent x-ray reports and test results
- A list of all medications that you are currently taking
- A list of any known drug allergies and the symptoms you may have from taking these medicines
The gastroenterologist will study your files from your doctor and then prescribe some diagnostic tests for you. During your initial visit, they will explain the specific procedure needed, help you visualize the results and go over the risks.
Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff are bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records.
Ordinarily we will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent.
If you would like a copy of our privacy policy please ask our reception staff.
Procedure Related Questions
Please ring our rooms for clarification.
No – these are as stated. These “out of pocket” gap fees are above and beyond what the health fund will pay.
We are happy to reimburse you if you give us 48 hours notice or you may reschedule your procedure date. If you have already received your PREP kit containing pharmaceutical products, this cannot be refunded.
No – this is between you and your health fund. Please contact them for clarification.
The doctors have procedure lists with scheduled anaesthetists. However, if you have a particular request we are happy to look at another day for your procedure.
You will need to be on a two day, low fibre diet and take preparation the evening before and four and a half hours prior to admission. We cannot book you for the following day as it would not allow enough time to do this.
You will need to discuss this with your gastroenterologist at the time of consultation.
You can only stay overnight for a medical reason. If you believe you need to stay overnight we suggest to book a consultation with your gastroenterologist prior to your procedure.
Your admission time is what is stated, please arrive at the hospital at this time.
Please ring our rooms for clarification.
Monitor your symptoms for the next 24 hours and if you are still feeling unwell it would be best to reschedule your procedure date.
The preparation instructions (page 3) advise you that after lunch the day before the procedure you are on ‘clear fluids’ – you can have as much of these as you like until your fasting period.
Yes, as long as you are nil by mouth from the time we advise.
No – you are to remain nil by mouth from the time we advise you.
No, you can use a tampon but if you feel uncomfortable you may wish to reschedule.
Please ring our rooms for clarification.
Please make sure you have one nail completely bare (no acrylic or polish).
No, as you are having sedation you will be unable to drive for 24 hours post procedure. You must also have someone accompany you for 24 hours after procedure.
We will contact you if the doctor needs to see you in the rooms or they will call you regarding anything serious.
