FAQS

Yes, you do need a referral to see Mr Patten. The referral should come from your GP or specialist and should be addressed to Mr Patten specifically.

You should bring your referral from your GP or specialist, along with any scans or tests you have had done of your hip/knee. If you are a new patient, we will send you a Patient Registration Form to complete and bring to your appointment. Alternatively, you can print the form here

Limited street parking is available on Erin Street and surrounding streets, including Bridge Road and Lennox Street. The entrance to Epworth Hospital’s underground car park is located on Bridge Road (next to the front entrance of the hospital), which you may park in for a fee. For information regarding the hospital’s parking rates please click here.

Yes, trams 48 and 75 stop at the front of Epworth Hospital on Bridge Road (stop number 15). The closest train station is West Richmond station, which is on the South Morang and Hurstbridge train lines. Jolimont station is approximately a 10-minute walk away from our rooms, and Richmond station is approximately a 15-minute walk away. Click here to view a map of where we are located. For more information on public transportation near our rooms, please visit Public Transport Victoria.

It is recommended to have scans of your hip/knee before you see Mr Patten, as these are helpful in generating a clear clinical picture of your problem. Scans are also helpful in providing information for a diagnosis. Your referring GP or specialist will be able to advise you on the most appropriate type of scan/s to have done for your problem.

Yes, payment is required on the day of your appointment. We accept cash, EFTPOS payment with Visa or Mastercard, and cheques. Please note that we do not accept American Express. Once the account is paid, we can transmit your account to Medicare online to immediately claim your rebate on your behalf.

For patients covered by WorkCover, TAC or DVA, we send our accounts directly to the relevant party for payment, and therefore no payment is required from you on the day of your appointment.

Mr Patten is happy to see patients who are not covered by private health insurance for an appointment, with the understanding that he only operates in a private hospital and therefore cannot perform surgery in the public sector. Should Mr Patten recommend surgery to an uninsured patient, then we will provide written quotes for all expenses for the patient to self-fund surgery in the private sector.

Mr Patten is more than happy to see patients for a second opinion. When considering having surgery, it is important to feel confident and comfortable with your surgeon and your treatment plan, and so seeking more than one specialist opinion is entirely reasonable.

The initial consultation fee with Mr Patten is $200.00, and any subsequent review consultations involve a fee of $100.00. Both fees attract a Medicare rebate, which we can claim on your behalf electronically at the time of payment.

Mr Patten’s surgery fees are based on the Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) fee guidelines. For more information about Mr Patten’s surgery fees, and other potential fees associated with surgery, please click here to view our Fees page.

Mr Patten performs all surgery at Epworth Hospital in Richmond

Our team incorporates reception staff, physicians and anaesthetists who will make your pre-operative planning as smooth as possible. We will provide you with plenty of information about your admission and procedure and ask that you take the time to carefully read all material given to you.

Before Your Admission

• Depending on your type of surgery, we may arrange for you to see our physician for a pre-operative assessment, to check your general health and ensure that you are medically prepared and safe for surgery and an anaesthetic.
• If we have referred you for a pre-operative blood test, please ensure that this is done five to ten days prior to your admission.
• Please take the time to carefully read the material given to you by our rooms and ensure you have completed your hospital admission form prior to your admission.
• Take care of yourself. In the weeks before your surgery, try to eat a nutritious diet and get enough sleep. Undertaking light exercise to maintain and enhance flexibility and strength will also be helpful in your recovery from surgery.
• If you smoke, please try to cease smoking as soon as possible, or for at least the few days leading up to your procedure.
• If you take any regular medications, please advise our rooms in case you need to cease any prior to surgery. If you have a consultation with our pre-operative physician, you will be advised during that appointment of any medications that may need to be ceased.
• Arrange for a family member or friend to be available to pick you up from hospital on discharge, as you cannot drive yourself home. The hospital will ask that someone be with you overnight when you return home. You may also benefit from having a friend or relative available to help you in the week or two after surgery. If required, the hospital will arrange for you to spend some time in inpatient rehabilitation before you discharge home.

On the Day of Your Admission

• We will advise you what time you need to fast from on the day of your procedure. Please ensure that you strictly adhere to the fasting time we give you.
• Ensure that you pack a bag of everything you will need during your hospital stay, including personal hygiene products, comfortable and loose-fitting clothing, supportive footwear, and all medication you are currently taking.
• Before you leave home, have a long shower, wash your hair and put on freshly washed clothes. This helps to prevent bacteria from coming into hospital with you.