Please check below to see if your question is answered. If not, feel free to contact the rooms by phone (03) 9428 1000 or email
- How can I make an appointment?
The easiest way to organise an appointment is to call the rooms on (03) 9428 1000 between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively you can use the online appointment request form.
- Do I need a referral for an appointment?
Yes, you will need a referral from your GP or current doctor. This is partly to ensure you receive a Medicare rebate for specialist services, and also so that an accurate medical history is provided. Referrals cannot be backdated and are required prior to the appointment.
- What do I need to bring to my appointment?
- A referral from your GP (if not already provided)
- Any relevant investigation results (such as blood tests, Xrays etc)
- A list of your current medications and any drug allergies
- Your medicare card and insurance details
- What should I expect at the consultation?
Once your appointment is booked, you will be provided with a patient registration form to fill out with basic details. This also contains details of financial consent prior to your appointment.
At the first appointment, you should expect a 30-40 minute consultation with James where he will go through your history, examination and previous investigations. James usually likes to assess your test results prior to the appointment in order to be prepared. This is important to allow a thorough and complete assessment.
After a physical examination, James will explain his plan to further assess and/or manage your symptoms. Following the visit, he will write a letter to your referring doctor and relevant specialists summarising the consultation and plan. You may request a copy of this letter if you prefer. Follow-up letters are usually sent after any follow-up consultation or to convey important test results to your treating clinicians. - What fees are involved in a consultation?
There are different fees depending on the type of consultation (initial vs follow-up), length of consultation, and whether you are a Health Care Card holder. Full financial consent and fees will be explained at the time of appointment booking. The fee usually involves a Medicare rebate (payable by the government) as well as an extra out of pocket expense.
- What fees are involved for a gastroscopy, colonoscopy or pill endoscopy?
James does not charge a gap for procedures and tries where possible to work with other providers that do not charge a gap. In many circumstances your private insurer may have an excess payable – we suggest you discuss this with your insurer to clarify. We ensure that full financial consent is provided prior to any procedure. If you do not have private health insurance, James can facilitate a procedure booking at a public hospital that offers the same procedure.
- What if I do not have private health insurance?
Private health insurance is not required to obtain a consultation, and most funds do not provide rebates for consultations. You therefore do not require insurance to obtain an appointment. For gastroscopy and colonoscopy, private insurance is not strictly required, however costs are fairly high without insurance. James can facilitate procedures in the public system if indicated.