In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

breadcrumbs--red-border

Our clinics cover a broad range of general surgical conditions that require specialist review (a full assessment of your issue) to see whether surgery can help you.

About this service

Some of the conditions we review include:

  • colorectal bowel disease
  • endocrine surgery
  • hepatobiliary/pancreatic surgery
  • hernia repair and abdominal wall conditions
  • perineal disease and faecal incontinence
  • upper gastrointestinal surgery.

We treat cancers as a part of a multidisciplinary team that includes surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists and specialist nurses.

General surgery is also offered through North Canberra Hospital surgical services.

Who we care for

Our services are available for people referred by their General Practitioner, our Emergency Department or other referring specialists.

We offer these services for free if you have a Medicare Card or an Asylum Seeker Card.

How to access this service

Your General Practitioner or other medical practitioner will refer you to this service.

What to expect

There is high demand for public surgical outpatient services.

We assess all referrals against clinical criteria which is available for referring medical officers. If your condition meets this criteria, you will be offered an appointment.

We encourage you to talk to your General Practitioner about the most appropriate care for your condition.

We aim to triage your referral within five days of receiving it.

We will send you a letter to confirm you are on the waiting list and we will contact you when an appointment is available.

Care may be provided by general surgery registrars (trainee surgeons) and junior doctors. Public general surgery services are provided by both Canberra Health Services and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce.

What to bring to your appointment

  • Medicare card
  • Any letters or correspondence from your GP
  • Medicines you need to take while you are here
  • List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
  • Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports

Where we’re located

Central Outpatient’s Department, Building 1, Level 2 (ground level), Canberra Hospital.

We have directions to Canberra Hospital.

Information for referrers

Please see Community HealthPathways for detailed referral criteria and information.

Referral options:

mobile icon

In the case of a life threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).

telephone icon

Contact us

Switchboard Canberra Hospital
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

Switchboard North Canberra Hospital
(02) 6201 6111

International callers
+61 (2) 6201 6111

Switchboard other hospitals and services
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

The switchboard handles all calls to, from and within the hospital 24 hours/seven days a week