FAQs

Put simply, we are surgeons who deal with problems of the bottom and bowels.

A Colorectal Surgeon deals with a wide range of conditions affecting the small bowel, colon, rectum and anus. Some of the common conditions we treat include bowel cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, faecal incontinence and defecatory difficulties, rectal prolapse, haemorrhoids, anal fissures and anal fistulas. We are also trained to recognise and treat rare or unusual conditions.

To become a Colorectal Surgeon in Australia takes a lot of study and training.

Our surgeons first completed at least five years of General Surgery training to become a specialist General Surgeon and then be awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. This training equips us to deal with both elective and emergency general surgical conditions such as gallbladder and hernia surgery. To become a recognised Colorectal Surgeon, we then have to complete a minimum additional two years of subspecialty colorectal surgery training recognised by the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ). We also need to complete a Colorectal Surgery examination, and research publication.  

A General Surgeon has completed five years of training but has not undertaken specialist training in a particular area. They are able to treat straightforward conditions but usually refer on any complex cases to the appropriate specialist.

A Colorectal Surgeon is a General Surgeon who has undertaken further training to specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.

A Gastroenterologist is a doctor who has completed training in internal medicine and further training in gastroenterology. A gastroenterologist specialises in the medical management of diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterologists do not operate on patients, they refer patients that require surgery onto colorectal surgeons.

First, you will need a GP referral. Once you have your referral, call our receptionist or use our easy online booking system.

That depends on the urgency of your care and other patients seeking appointments at that time. All urgent referrals and patients with cancer will be seen within a week, while non-urgent cases may experience a few weeks wait before your appointment. If you require surgery you will be able to choose a date that suits you.

Yes we are very happy to provide a ‘straight to colonoscopy or gastroscopy’ streamlined service for patients when appropriate. This means you avoid the cost and delay in waiting for an appointment. Of course, if you prefer to meet us in person prior to any investigations this is not a problem. Further details can be found on our Resources page.

We are based in Cooks Hill, a suburb in Newcastle. We also have rooms in Swansea, Toronto, and Nelson Bay. Our patients usually come from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the greater Hunter New England and Mid North Coast regions but we accept patients from outside those areas on a needs basis.

Yes there is free onsite parking close to our rooms. If the car park is full, there is ample parking on the streets outside our consulting rooms.

If this is the initial appointment, we need a referral letter from your General Practitioner or other specialist. If this is a follow-up appointment, we will not need a new referral letter unless the original referral has lapsed (usually 12 months if referred by your GP and three months if your referral is from another specialist). We will advise you if a new referral is required.

Please also bring:

• Your Medicare card
• Your Health Fund information
• All relevant X-rays, scans and test results from your GP or other specialists
• A list of all the medications you are currently taking
• A list of any known drug allergies
• If you have had surgery or a colonoscopy elsewhere, a copy of your operation report is useful
• You are also welcome to bring a friend or loved one.

You can expect an easy, supportive and dignified experience every time you visit Coastal Colorectal.

On your first appointment, our reception staff will greet you and spend a few minutes helping you complete the essential paperwork prior to your consultation. Once you’re checked in, your initial consultation with the surgeon usually takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the complexity of your case.

During the consultation, we will ask you questions and listen to all your concerns before performing a tailored evaluation and assessment. We will then take you through our thoughts on your case, lay out the possible treatment options and work with you to build your customised treatment plan according to your health needs, circumstances, wellbeing goals and personal choices.

We aim for clarity and transparency in our communications and encourage you to ask questions, we want you to feel empowered to make the right decisions for you.

We’re humans too, and we know what it’s like to feel vulnerable, embarrassed, worried and scared in these situations. But we’re not only thoroughly professional, we are also down-to earth and have seen it all before. We won’t do anything that makes you feel unsafe, and we won’t ignore or make light of your feelings. Trust us, we are not shocked by anything.

We believe that a strong patient-doctor connection based on mutual trust and respect is the key to making the best decisions for you and achieving positive outcomes on your health journey. So, we make it our business to put you ease. We’ve become experts at seeing you through and moving you past those feelings of embarrassment and will do all we can to maintain your dignity at every step along the way.

We understand that you may want to share your health journey with loved ones. Where appropriate, we encourage you to bring a loved one to appointments and help them to understand your conditions and treatments so they can better support you. We also provide support to your loved ones, should they need a little bit of help themselves in dealing with your health journey.

Absolutely! We believe that ultimately, it’s your body and you call the shots. We bring together a team of expert and caring practitioners to provide specialist advice and support you in your decision making. It’s important to us that you always feel in control of your care journey. We use everyday language and take the time to ensure you fully understand your treatment options and feel well-equipped to make the best decisions about your healthcare.

We operate at Newcastle Private, Lingard, and Newcastle Endoscopy Centre. The location depends on your needs and your preference and will be discussed at your consultation.

The fee for your consultation will depend on the consultation type (is it a new problem vs. a review appointment). You will have to pay a small out-of-pocket amount towards this fee. Pensioners and patients with special circumstances may be offered reduced fees, and in some cases, be bulk billed.

The fees for hospital surgeries vary depending on your insurance cover and provider. This will be discussed at your appointment.

Uninsured patients can choose the option to self-fund, they will be given a quote at the time of consultation. We are unable to book patients onto public hospital waiting lists.