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General Surgery
Outpatients
Information about outpatient clinics for the assessment and management of general surgical conditions. Please note related information can be found in gastroenterology and colorectal surgery guidelines.
The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date. If you receive this SMS, please update your details.
Availability
North West
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 03 6493 6300
Fax: 03 6464 1928
Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 1800 636 455
Fax: 03 6441 5928
Emergency conditions
Direct patients to the Emergency Department if urgent assessment is required, e.g. for the following symptoms/conditions (not exclusive):
- Acute pancreatitis
- Acute severe biliary pain
- Cholangitis
- Frequent vomiting
- Haematemesis
- Major rectal bleeding
- Melaena
- Obstructed or painful hernia
- Obstructive jaundice
- Severe abdominal pain
- Strangulated hernia
Emergency care
If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.
Scope
South
- Breast surgery: see Breast Surgery guidelines. Note: breast surgery is also performed by Dr S Wilkinson via the General Surgical Clinic pathway.
- Thyroid lesions please refer to thyroid Endocrinology Clinic in the first instance.
- Obesity (bariatric) surgery is offered under strict criteria and in a very limited fashion.
Not offered
Tattoo removal, cosmetic surgery, vasectomies, asymptomatic varicose vein surgery are not offered. Learn more about procedures not routinely performed.
Referral process
A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the referral standards. eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service and is available in All regions. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see the creating an eReferral quick guide.
Specific requirements are detailed in the individual clinic and condition referral guidelines.
Referrals are registered in the Specialist Clinic and triaged by each Consultant/Medical Officer. Please specify the urgency of appointment required.
If the patient needs a colonoscopy/gastroscopy and you do NOT feel they need a prior clinic consultation, indicate on the referral that a 'direct scope' is wanted.
South
For urgent referrals call the Royal Hobart Hospital switch on 6166 8308 and ask for the nurse in charge of surgical clinics or the relevant consultant to expedite the consultation.
Please indicate on the referral:
- Reason for the consult
- Tests and results already done
- Urgency to be seen
Where available, eReferral via HealthLink smart forms is now the preferred and only secure method of referral to the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Clinic appointments
Urgent (Category 1)
For urgent referrals call the Royal Hobart Hospital switch on 6166 8308 and ask for the nurse in charge of surgical clinics or the relevant consultant to expedite the consultation.
We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.
Semi-urgent (Category 2)
We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks
Routine (Category 3)
Next available appointment
