FAQs

If you wish to make an appointment please contact me.

I have the same practice in both hospitals and your decision should be based on convenience for you and your family.

I allow ample time for both new and follow up appointments. The actual length of a consultation will vary according to the complexity of each individual case. Should investigations be necessary they might be organised on the same day or at a later date.

No. While most people being treated in the private sector will have insurance cover, an increasing number are choosing to fund their own treatment. There are a variety of ways to pay for treatment but in general the hospital would require payment for surgery in full in advance.

If you are paying for your own treatment, then a referral is not necessary although in general it is preferred. The majority of insurers will require a GP referral before authorising a consultation, investigations or any treatment. Many of my referrals come from physiotherapists and some insurers will now accept that mode of referral.

If you are planning to fund your own treatment and would like to obtain an estimate of costs, there is no need for a referral and I am happy to base an estimate on the information you are able to provide.

It is always useful to obtain a pre-authorisation number from your insurer before the day of your visit to a hospital or clinic. We work with all of the major health insurance companies and if at the time of making an appointment if you are unfamilar with the procedure, we will be happy to explain how to go about contacting your insurer.

I am recognised by all the major insurance companies as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. There are a large number of policies that cover differing aspects of care and I would recommend you ensure that you understand what is and is not covered under your particular policy.

Yes. My fees are usually covered in full by insurers, apart from your policy excess. However, there are many different insurance policy products and some of them may not cover the entire fee. I would advise you to check with your insurer before proceeding with any treatment.

Yes.Whether or not you have private medical insurance you are ultimately responsible for any fees incurred for consultations, investigations and surgery.

Should any surgery be necessary, a convenient time will be organised based on the nature of the operation, the necessary rehabilitation and the recovery time.

Operative procedures all have a code that insurers and hospitals use and you are advised to obtain an authorisation number beforehand if using insurance.

The majority of my operations operations are done as a day case, very few require a stay in hospital. Although insurers and hospitals will place an expected length of stay on any procedure, it is in general better to keep any inpatient time to a minimum. You will be discharged as soon as safe and able.

Painkilling (analgesic) and anti-inflammatory drugs play an important part in your rehabilitation following surgery. They help to control pain and swelling, enabling you to carry out your exercises and increase mobility. You will be provided with a supply of medication to take away after your operation (TTAs). You will also be supplied with a sling to help you keep the operated limb elevated and reduce swelling.

Yes. Early and intensive hand therapy is one of the most important elements in your treatment. It helps to avoid stiffness and swelling, allowing you to mobilise as quickly as possible after your surgery. Generally I like my patients to be seen within 3 days of their operation. I work closely with a number of excellent physiotherapists and will discuss with you the most suitable. Most hand therapists are recognised by all the major insurers. You will need to check your policy to see whether or not hand therapy is included. The number and frequency of sessions required will be individually tailored to, and guided by your progress.

The number of further consultations you need will depend on the operation you have had and how closely I need to monitor your progress. In general I aim to continue to see you until you have fully recovered from any procedure.

Although I aim to provide as complete a service as possible, I am unable to provide 24/7 cover. If you have any urgent queries you should call my secretary or ward nurse initially. If available I will organise to see you. If I am unable to organise a review, a safe alternative plan will be made.