Once we receive your referral, an appointment will be offered as soon as possible. This is normally within 6 weeks, often much sooner if possible.

You will receive notification in writing sent to the address provided by your referrer. You will also receive a text reminder (SMS) if your cell phone number was provided with the referral.

If you have any questions about your appointment, or need to change the time, please call Practice Managers Sally or Michelle on 07 5431855.

Please don’t think that just because you have been referred to a surgeon, you are immediately going to be lined up for surgery!

What’s Going On?

First, we need to understand the cause of your complaint. Medically, this is called a diagnosis. By reviewing the issues you are having, together with a physical examination, we try and better understand the cause of your problem. A firm diagnosis may or may not be able to be made at the first visit. Further investigations or scans may be required to reach a firm diagnosis.

What Can We Do About It?

Once a diagnosis is made, treatment options can be discussed. Treatment may not involve surgery. Surgery is only appropriate when there are no longer any effective non-surgical treatment options available. Proceeding with surgical treatment is entirely your choice, once you have had time to weigh up the pros and cons, after discussion with Tony.

Referral letter from your GP or other health professional

• Insurance policy number or ACC claim number

• Copies of medical reports and details of previous operations on the same body region, if available

• List of current medications

• Details of any recent X-rays, scans, MRI’s on the same body region

Most medical information should have already been provided by your health professional with your referral. Any recent X-rays and scans should be available to us online. If you have any old X-rays and scans of the same body area, please also bring these as they may offer valuable information into how your condition may have developed. Other than that, if you don’t feel you have anything special to bring, then don’t be too worried.

You are very welcome to bring an accompanying spouse, partner, family member or support person, however it is not a requirement and is entirely at your discretion.

If you are particularly anxious about the appointment or worry that you may not retain information, then a partner or family member is often a useful addition to the consultation.

Similarly, if you are hard of hearing, a trusted friend or family member is very welcome.

As a courtesy, and to avoid confusion, it is appreciated if you explain your relationship to the support person at the outset of the assessment. Be reassured that the nature of your relationship to the support person will not in any way affect the outcome of the assessment.

Under the New Zealand Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights, you are entitled to have one or more support people of your choice present.

For a complete summary of the Code of Consumers’ Rights, please refer here [NZ Code of Rights].

Grace Orthopaedic Centre
You appointment will be at Grace Orthopaedic Centre.

Grace Orthopaedic Centre is located at 335 Cheyne Road, Pyes Pa, Tauranga, right next to Grace Hospital.

Click [here] to see Google Map directions.

On your mobile device, enter ‘Grace Orthopaedic Centre’ into Google Maps and you will find directions.

Mr Lamberton’s Rooms
Mr Lamberton is located in Suite 1 on the ground floor at Grace Orthopaedic Centre.

You will see Mr Lamberton’s desk upon entering the building to the left of the main door. Please check in with his Practice Manager, Sally or Michelle, on arrival.

Bathroom facilities and chilled water are available immediately adjacent to the waiting area.

Parking is provided outside the building, within 100 metres of the front door. Drop off parks are right at the front entrance.

A wheelchair is available if you require assistance.