WHAT TO EXPECT…

PATIENT INFORMATION

It’s completely normal to have questions about what to expect. To help you feel more prepared, we’ve compiled answers to the most common concerns below.

During your consultation, Tony will be happy to provide further clarity and address any additional questions you may have. Our goal is to ensure you feel informed, comfortable, and confident in your care.

THE REFERRAL PROCESS

  • For an appointment, a referral is required from a medical professional such as your family doctor, another orthopaedic surgeon, medical specialist, or a physiotherapist or osteopath. This referral should include:

    • The reason for referral

    • The relevant history of your concern

    • Any investigations undertaken to date.

    • Any treatments provided to date.

    • Date of Injury and ACC number (if the concern is accident related)

    Referral may be made by the following means, preferably electronically:

    Healthlink:EDI address ‘orthcntr’
    Healthpages: Secure Webportal -www.healthpages.co.nz/specialists
    Fax:07 543 5285
    Mail:Grace Orthopaedic Centre, Private Bag 12-506, Tauranga Mail Centre, 3143

    Once your referral is received, we will arrange an appointment and notify you accordingly.

    Unfortunately, direct appointments without a referral from a primary healthcare provider are not 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 our Practice Manager on 07 5431855.

YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

  • Being referred to a surgeon doesn’t necessarily mean you will need surgery right away.

    Your initial consultation is an opportunity for the specialist to review your concerns and work toward a clear diagnosis. This may be determined during your first visit, but in some cases, additional tests or scans may be necessary.

    Once a diagnosis is confirmed, you’ll discuss treatment options—which may not involve surgery at all. Surgery is only considered when all non-surgical treatments have been exhausted and are no longer effective.

    Ultimately, the decision to proceed with surgery is entirely yours. Your surgeon will guide you through the discussion, ensuring you have all the information needed to make an informed choice.

  • To ensure a smooth consultation, please bring the following items:

    • Referral letter from your GP or other health professional

    • Insurance policy number or ACC claim number

    • Copies of medical reports and details of previous surgeries related to the same body region, if available

    • A list of current medications

    • Details of any recent X-rays, scans, or MRIs related to the same body area

    Most of your medical information should have already been provided with your referral, and any recent X-rays or scans will likely be accessible online. However, if you have older X-rays or scans of the same body region, please bring them along—they may provide valuable insights into how your condition has developed over time.

    If you don’t have anything specific to bring, don’t worry. Your specialist will have most of the necessary information to guide your care.

  • You are welcome to bring a spouse, partner, family member, or support person to your appointment. While this is entirely optional, it can be helpful—especially if you feel anxious or want assistance in retaining important information.

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

    To ensure a smooth consultation, we appreciate a brief introduction of your support person at the outset. Rest assured, their presence and relationship to you will not influence the assessment in any way.

    For a full summary of the Code of Consumers’ Rights, please refer to NZ Code of Rights.

  • Grace Orthopaedic Centre

    Your appointment will take place at Grace Orthopaedic Centre, located at 335 Cheyne Road, Pyes Pa, Tauranga, right next to Grace Hospital.

    To view directions on Google Maps, click [here]. On your mobile device, simply search for “Grace Orthopaedic Centre” in Google Maps or Apple Maps for easy navigation.

    Tony’s Rooms

    Tony consults from Suite 1 on the ground floor of Grace Orthopaedic Centre. As you enter the building, his desk is immediately to the left of the main entrance. Please check in with his Practice Manager upon arrival.

    Bathroom facilities and chilled water are available just beside the waiting area for your convenience.

    Free parking is available outside the building. For easy drop-off, designated parks are located right at the entrance.

    A wheelchair is available should you require assistance.

  • As part of your assessment, a physical examination will be required. Conditions affecting the hip joint often require a thorough evaluation of the spine and both lower limbs.

    You may need to remove clothing from your lower limbs for a short period, though underwear will remain on.

    Examinations are conducted in a private room, and you are welcome to have a chaperone or support person present at your discretion. Your privacy and comfort will be respected at all times.

  • The length of each assessment varies depending on the nature of the problem. 

    In general, you will be offered either a 20- or 40-minute appointment. 

    If additional X-rays are required, they can usually be obtained on-site within half an hour.  I endeavour to see you again after the X-rays, which might take another 20 minutes for discussion. 

    If further investigations or imaging (such as an MRI scan) is needed, this will need to be arranged separately at a later date.  A follow-up appointment to discuss the results will be required.

  • As part of the initial assessment, a physical examination will almost certainly be required.

    This may require removing clothing to expose your legs for a short period of time, but not your underwear.

    For your convenience, try to avoid tight-fitting jeans or trousers, as well as pantyhose.

    You may have to walk a few steps across the room in your underwear, as well as lying flat on an examination bed.

    The examination is undertaken in a private consulting room.

    A modesty drape will be used to cover your underwear and groin area.

    Note that issues affecting the legs often require an examination of the spine, as well as the entirety of both legs.

    Your modesty and privacy will be respected at all times. 

    You may bring a chaperone or accompanying person entirely at your discretion. 

    For a complete summary of your rights in the healthcare environment, please see the Code of Consumers’ Rights click here

INSURANCE & PAYMENT

  • If your injury is covered by ACC, please ensure your claim is valid and verified before attending your appointment to avoid any unexpected costs.

    ACC will have sent you a confirmation letter accepting your claim. We strongly recommend confirming your claim status in advance.

    To check your claim with ACC:

    There are three key pieces of information required for ACC claims:

    • Body site

    • Date of injury

    • Claim number

    If your claim is not verified, you will be responsible for the full consultation fee.

    Please also confirm your verified claim with the Practice Manager upon arrival. For confirmed claims, the consultation fee is fully covered by ACC.

    If X-rays are required, please note there may be an ACC surcharge payable directly to the radiology provider.

  • It's always a good idea to check your insurance coverage before your consultation and to familiarise yourself with your insurer’s billing and claim procedures, as these can vary widely between providers.

    In most cases, you will be expected to pay for your consultation on the day and then submit the invoice to your insurer for reimbursement.

    Southern Cross Members

    If you’re insured with Southern Cross, please bring your membership number or card with you.

    Mr Lamberton is an Affiliated Provider for both Initial Consultations and Follow-Up Appointments. This means his rooms will handle the claim directly with Southern Cross, and your policy allowance will be paid directly to him.

    Depending on your policy, a shortfall may apply, which you’ll need to pay at the time of your visit.

    Surgical Procedures

    Please note that this is a separate process from reimbursement for surgical procedures.

  • The consultation fees are proportionate to the length of the assessment. 

    The length of each assessment varies depending on the nature of the problem. 

    In general, you will be offered either a 20- or 40-minute appointment. 

    If you don’t have insurance cover, you will be invoiced at the end of the consultation.

    For current costs, please check with the Practice Manager on 07 5431855