Your First Visit

Our aim is to provide you with all the information needed to make informed decisions about managing your health.


What to Bring

On your first visit please remember to bring the following:


  • Any relevant Medical and Family History
  • List of current medications
  • List of Allergies to prescription medications


What to Expect

You will be asked detailed information covering your medical history and prior births if any. Dr. Alexander may perform some physical examinations and take clinical images to complete your medical record to compare at future follow-ups.


Ask Questions

It’s not uncommon to have questions or doubts, which we will encourage you to ask before you leave the clinic.


Initial Tests

During this consultation or soon after you will required have an Ultrasound to help establish your baby's due date and to check on the health of the pregnancy.

Other tests that will be required include:


  • Blood tests are done to know your blood type (A, B, AB, or O; Rh positive or Rh negative),
  • Immunity to German measles (rubella), and haemoglobin levels.
  • Tests also reveal if you are suffering from conditions such as hepatitis B, syphilis or AIDS.


After reviewing any diagnostic results, Dr Alexander will advise you of the results.

Booking Your First Visit

Our doctors consults at a number of locations.  To book an initial consultation please either 
  • Phone our rooms at telephone, or 
  • Book Here  
Urgent Appointments
Advise the staff if the matter is urgent and we will endeavour to arrange an expedited appointment.

Plan With Notes
It’s easy to forget all the questions you wish to discuss once in front of the doctor. We recommend you prepare a list of questions you want to discuss.

Referral Information

Anyone can make an appointment to see Dr Alexander


Valid Referral

With a valid specialist referral, you will receive a Medicare rebate The referral must be current and come from general practitioner or another specialist.


No Valid Referral

Without a valid referral, you will not obtain your Medicare rebate and be required to pay the full consulting fee. 


You can make an appointment and then arrange for your general practitioner to fax through a referral prior to your appointment date.

What to Bring To Your First Visit

Please plan your appointment appropriately or reschedule if necessary.

Prepare to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated appointment time as you will be asked to complete some paperwork.

Bring all relevant information as listed below:

Clinical
  • List of Current Medications,
  • List of any allergies to pharmaceuticals or other,
  • Prior X Rays, MRI or CT scans
  • Copies of Pathology Reports
  • Your Medical and Family History
  • Is the problem work related?
Identity
  • Referral Letter (GP, Doctor or Physio)
  • Drivers license or valid ID
  • Medicare, DVA or Pension Card
  • Private Hospital Insurance Details
  • Employer’s Letter (if Work cover) and a current claim and approval from their case manager
Other
  • Current Diet and Exercise
  • Relevant Journal or Travel Plans
Prepare a list of questions you want to ask your doctor about your problem or concerns. It’s easy to forget what you wanted to discuss once you are at the appointment.

During Your First Visit

You should expect to be greeted at reception upon arrival and then seen by the doctor.

Medical History 
During your first visit you and the doctor will discuss:
  • General health and Medications,
  • Previous problems,
  • Family history, 
  • Current symptoms and related health, 
  • Previous diagnostic imaging, and
  • Risk factors, lifestyle and family history
Honesty is important as it provides all the information needed to assess and properly treat you.

Physical Examination
It is important to be as relaxed as possible during any examination. Try taking deep slow breaths, relax and think of something pleasant can help if the doctor needs to perform a clinical examination here..

Diagnostic Imaging
You may require more diagnostic testing to confirm the doctors diagnosis.

Ask Questions?
We want you to feel free to discuss openly any questions or voice any concerns you may have without reluctance or hesitation, as anything dealing with your health is of extreme importance.

It is important that you clearly understand your options.

Appointment Policy

Your time is valuable. Our [DOCTOR] endeavours to run on schedule and your punctual attendance will assist this.

Feel free to ring us 30 minutes prior to your appointment to confirm if your we are running on time.

Late Arrivals
We do understand that circumstances may arise unexpectedly, however, late arrivals can compromise the service we are able to provide to you, and can also inconvenience other patients. 

We will do our best to accommodate late arrivals, but in some instances, appointments may need to be rescheduled.

Cancellation Policy
We do ask that you contact us and give at least 24 hours notice should you need to reschedule or cancel your booking.

Due to the difficulty of filling last-minute cancellations, and if we are unable to book an alternative patient, it will be necessary to charge a $50 fee for missed appointments or last-minute cancellations.

Regular cancellations or cancellations with less than 24-hour notice may incur a cancellation fee.

We consider this a last resort, as our motivating concern is the quality of service we are able to provide you and our other patients.

No Show Policy
For unattended appointments without notice, we may charge a $50 fee.

We may require a credit card on file to reserve your appointment. If you don’t have your credit card on file, you may only be allowed to come in on a walk-in basis if available.

After Your First Visit

Diagnosis and Recommendations

After reviewing any diagnostic results, Dr Alexander will recommend appropriate treatment.


Treatment

Where a Treatment Option is recommended you may need to understand and consider the following:

 

  • Further preoperative medical evaluations to determine suitability for the procedure,
  • Further diagnostic evaluations including pathology and imaging,
  • Potential risks and complications
  • Planning and recovery time
  • Counselling to ensure that the informed consent obtained is fully understood.

 

Be Aware of

 

  • Any infections prior to surgery, as they may delay a procedure until the infection is cleared,
  • Any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems to reduce complications,
  • Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or other medications that may need to be paused,
  • Stop smoking to reduce your surgery risks and improve recovery
  • Consider losing weight (if overweight) 

 

If you have any specific concerns or fears regarding your condition or treatment we recommend contacting the practice for clarification.

Common Questions

  • Can I Bring A Friend or Family Member?

    [Doctor] we encourage a friend or family member accompany you on your consultation with the surgeon. If your family or friends can better understand your condition and treatment, they can also provide suitable help if and when required.

  • Can You Arrange An Interpreter?

    An interpreter can be arranged upon request, typically this is done over the online. 


    Please let us know at the time of making the appointment.

  • Non Surgical Options

    When surgery is recommended, it is often the best treatment, based on the evidence available.

    When considering surgery both you and your doctor will balance the risk of surgery against the risk of not having surgery. 

    There may be multiple other treatments available and your own circumstances may mean you prefer not to have surgery.

  • What if I Am Pregnant?

    It is not recommended to receive injectable treatments while pregnant, as the risks are uncertain due to the lack of information available about the effect on the fetus. 


    For more information please call us on and request to speak with one of our medically-trained registered doctor or nurse.


    The best time to visit your doctor is one week after your menstrual period as your may require a pap smear which cannot be obtained if you are menstruating.


    Avoid douching or using vaginal creams at least three days before your appointment.

  • Can I Bring My Child?

    Whilst we all love children, in the interest of health and safety, children cannot accompany patients in the treatment rooms or be supervised by staff. 


    Thank you for your understanding.

  • Hospital Discharge?

    The patient is then discharged from the hospital in a day or two after the procedure. 


    Patients are advised on the steps to keep the wound dry and clean and on scar management.


    The patient is advised to maintain a strict elevation of the joint for ten days. 

    • arrange help to assist with chores, and
    • avoid putting any weight on the joint, with the help of crutches and walkers. 
  • Recovery After Paratenon and Plantaris Stripping?

    Even minor injuries can have a prolonged recovery period. 


    Patients are normally immobilised in a below-knee cast or boot for 6 weeks.


    Other conditions include:

    • no weight-bearing during this time, and 
    • often a further 4-6 weeks in a boot is required once walking is started. 

    Return to maximum function often takes up to one year after the injury.

  • Wound Management?

    At the time of discharge patients are advised on:

    • The necessary steps to keep the wound dry,
    • Wound care and Cleaning, and 
    • On scar management. precautions.
  • How Long is a First Visit?

    As a guide please consider the average duration as being:

    • Initial Consultation
    • Tests
    • Follow Up Appointments
  • Patient Support

    It’s not uncommon to be nervous or have questions or doubts prior to a treatment.

    It is hard for your doctor to allay your fears or reassure you if you keep your thoughts to yourself.


    We encourage you to clarify before you leave the clinic and will take time to explain the treatment options available.

  • Does It Hurt?

    Everyone experiences pain differently and has different pain thresholds. When it comes to anti-wrinkle injections, it is a relatively painless procedure, though a mild stinging sensation may be felt. 


    Most people compare the sensation of the face injections to a quick prick or a slight pinching feeling, but it only lasts for a few seconds.


    Anti-wrinkle treatments require no anaesthetic, however, a topical anaesthetic can be used for dermal fillers if needed.

  • What if I am Not 18 Years Old

    We do not treat anyone under the age of 18 for cosmetic injectables. We do offer a wide range of skin treatments suitable for your age group. 


    We welcome you to visit our clinic with a parent or guardian to discuss any of these options.

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    How Much Will I Need?

    To determine the correct dosage you need to book in for a consultation with Clinic. 


    With regular treatments, the dosage can be reduced.

  • Post Surgery Treatment Program

    The patient is able to walk immediately after the surgery with minimal pain. 


    The doctor may prescribe pain medications if the pain persists longer than usual.

  • Possible Risks or Side Effects?

    The procedure carries all the risks associated with surgery, such as 

    • infection, 
    • bleeding and 
    • a severe allergic reaction to anesthesia. 

    Redness and bruising at the site of injection may be seen which should resolve over time. 


    There is also a risk of nerve injury or chronic pain due to nerve entrapment and delayed healing of the wound.

  • Possible Complications of Surgery?

    If this condition or injury is missed or untreated can result in the collapse of the arch of the midfoot with significant pain, and the development of arthritis. 


    When surgery is performed, risks include damage to the structures around the top of the foot (nerves, blood vessels, tendons, muscles), as well as a risk of wound infection or breakdown.


    It is common to sustain cartilage damage at the joint surfaces during the initial injury, and some people develop midfoot arthritis and ongoing pain down the track. 


    Some patients require further surgery to fuse the midfoot joints to relieve arthritis pain.