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:
- Phone: (02) 5124 2415
- Acute phone: (02) 5124 2000 (on-call registrar)
- Fax: (02) 5124 5500
- SmartForm