A referral letter is required from your health professional, prior to an appointment being made.  Ask your GP, Physiotherapist or Specialist to refer to one of our Surgeons.

• Phone 03 6884447 or Fax 03 684 8455
• Once the referral has been received, we will notify you when your apppointment is.
• If you have a cell phone, you will be sent a text message reminder the day before.
• To cancel an appointment, telephone the office during business hours. Please cancel at least 1 day ahead so that your appointment time can be allocated to another patient who is seeking treatment.
• New patient appointments range from 20-30 minutes and follow ups are 10-20 minutes.

You need to bring with you to your appointment

• Any letters or reports from your doctor or hospital
• Your ACC number, if you have one.
• Your Private Health Insurance details, if you have cover.
• Any X-rays, CT or MRI films and reports. If you have a hard copy image, bring that but if these are not available bring the disc of the images.
• If you have seen a physiotherapist, please bring a progress letter from them if you have one.
• A list of all medicines you are taking including herbal and natural remedies.
• Your pharmaceutical entitlement card.

We make every effort to run on time, but occasionally emergencies or patients require a little more time, and these cause delays beyond our control. We apologize if we keep you waiting. 

Office hours for payment of accounts: 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Payments can be made by Internet banking, Eftpos, Cash, Cheque or Credit Card.

Private appointments and surgery

If you are referred to the practice privately, you are responsible for payment of your consultation. If surgery is then undertaken you will receive separate accounts for the following elements of the surgical episode: 

• The surgeons fee
• The anaesthetist fee
• The Hospital fee
• Implant costs.

If you have a Health Insurance Policy, it is also important to make sure you know whether or not your policy covers 100% of any treatment you may need. Some policies have a pre-determined maximum figure that will be paid for a procedure. Where this amount is not adequate to cover the full cost of the appointment or procedure you will be left to cover the shortfall. You will need to collate all invoices relating to your surgery and forward these to your Health Insurance Company for payment, along with any prior approval information provided.

ACC appointments and ACC surgery

If you have been referred to the practice with an accepted ACC claim, 100% of the cost of your treatment may be covered by ACC. For confirmation, please contact your local ACC office or visit www.acc.co.nz. If however your claim is declined, then you are responsible for the account.

 As a Patient or Patient Representative of Aorangi Surgical Group, please be aware that you are liable to pay the fees and all costs incurred related to your treatment by the 20th of the month following receipt of an invoice. All collection costs incurred in the recovery of this debt will be for the responsibility of the Patient or Patient Representative. Please contact us if you have any queries regarding the above.

Make sure you give your family and friends plenty of notice about your operation, so they can take time off work to be with you if necessary. Learn more about Bidwill Hospital...

Pre-operative assessment

You'll be asked to attend a pre-operative assessment.  You'll be asked questions about your health, your medical history and your home circumstances. Some blood and urine tests may be carried out. This assessment will usually happen a few days before your operation. Make sure you know the results of any previous tests, as well as all the medications, vitamins and herbal supplements you take. You'll be given clear information on:

• whether you need to stop eating and drinking in the hours before your operation (see below),
• whether you should stop taking your usual medications before going into hospital,
• what to bring with you into hospital (see below),
• whether you'll need to stay in hospital overnight and, if so, for how long.

Importance of fasting

If your doctor has instructed you to fast before the operation, it's really important that you don't eat or drink anything – this includes light snacks, sweets and water. You need an empty stomach during surgery so you don't vomit while you are under anaesthetic. If your operation is in the morning, do not eat anything after midnight but you may have water to drink until 6:00am. For afternoon operations, have a light breakfast of toast or cereal (not a cooked breakfast) before 7.30am. You may drink water up until 11:00am. If you take insulin because of diabetes you will still need to avoid eating and drinking before surgery, but make sure your medical team is aware of your condition so appropriate precautions can be taken.

Hygiene

You'll need to remove all make-up and nail polish before your operation.  Its a good idea to have a shower on the morning of your surgery before coming to the hospital.

Cancelling and rearranging your surgery

If you're unable to attend your hospital appointment or you don't feel well enough to have your operation, let the hospital (03 6871230) and the secretaries at Aorangi Surgical Group (03 6884447) know as soon as possible. Your admission will be rearranged for another day. Let your surgeon know if you develop a cough, cold or fever a few days before surgery. They will advise whether your operation can go ahead.

What to pack for hospital

• A nightdress or pyjamas
• Day clothes
• Reading glasses
• Clean underwear
• Dressing gown and slippers
• Small hand towel
• Toiletries – soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorantsanitary towels or tampons
• Razor and shaving materials
• Comb or hairbrush
• Book or magazines
• Small amount of money
• Medication that you normally take, and a list of the doses for each medicine
• Notebook and pen
• Healthy snacks
• Address book and important phone numbers, including your gp's contact details

We abide by a Code of Patient Rights, ensuring proper standards are adhered to with respect and fair treatment by listening and recognising your need for dignity, independence, information, support and decision making. We welcome all complaints.