Preparing for Your First Appointment
Seeing a specialist can feel like a big step, so we want you to feel prepared and confident before you arrive. Your first appointment is an opportunity to discuss your symptoms, understand your condition, and explore treatment options together.
You’re welcome to bring a support person, and writing down any questions beforehand can be helpful as a lot may be covered during your consultation. If you’re unsure about anything ahead of time, please contact us.
Typically, people are referred by their General Practitioner, physiotherapist, or another medical practitioner. Once we receive a referral, our team will contact you to schedule an appointment.
The referral will already include all relevant information, and the Grace Orthopaedics team will contact you or the referring clinician directly if any critical information is missing.
To help your specialist get a full picture of your condition, please bring:
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Any recent X-rays or scans, or let us know where they were done so we can access them.
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Notes or reports relating to your injury or condition.
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A list of your regular medications.
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ACC details, insurance information, or Southern Cross membership number (if applicable).
If additional tests are recommended before your appointment, we’ll get in touch.
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Your specialist will talk with you about your symptoms and medical history, and may examine the affected area to assess movement, strength, and pain. Existing imaging will be reviewed, and if needed, further scans such as X-ray, CT, or MRI may be arranged.
Once the assessment is complete, your specialist will explain the diagnosis and outline possible next steps.
Your specialist will discuss with you what the best treatment option for your injury/condition is and this may include non-surgical and/or surgical options. They will discuss with you the potential benefits and complications of all options and together, you will decide on the most appropriate treatment.
Please feel free to ask questions to ensure you fully understand your condition and the treatment plan to help with your recovery.
Payment is due at the time of your appointment. We accept EFTPOS, Visa and Mastercard, or other arrangements where agreed in advance.
If you are being seen under an ACC claim, the claim must be approved before your appointment. If the claim is declined or does not cover your visit or treatment, payment will be your responsibility.
Some health insurers require you to pay upfront and then claim the cost back. Please check your policy details before your appointment so you know what applies to you.
If you are seeing one of our surgeons and your care is provided under Health NZ, your outpatient appointment will be covered.
If you are unable to attend your appointment for whatever reason, please call our rooms at the earliest possible time. We require at least 24 hours notice prior to your scheduled appointment, otherwise a fee will be charged for this missed appointment.
If the fee for the missed appointment remains unpaid, no further appointments will be made available. Exceptions may be made to this, but only at the discretion of the Surgeon and Practice Manager.
ADDRESSS
335 Cheyne Road, Oropi, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
POSTAL ADDRESS
Grace Orthopaedic Centre, Private Bag 12506, Tauranga 3143
New Zealand
CALL US
Fax: 07 543 5284