Information for patients preparing for consultation, colonoscopy, surgery and hospital admission with Dr Suat Chin Ng, colorectal, hernia and general surgeon in Melbourne.
This page provides information about referrals, consultations, fees, Telehealth, hospital admission, colonoscopy preparation, surgery preparation and post-operative care.
Patient information
Before Your Consultation
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Your GP (valid for 12 months from your 1st appointment)
Another clinician or other colorectal surgeon (valid for 3 months)
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Your GP can choose from any of the below options:
1) Fill in a referral form on this website
2) Contact us directly
3) Provide you with the completed referral letter
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Your referral letter (or email at contact@drsuatchinng.com prior to your visit)
Medicare card
Private health insurance details
Copies of any medical imaging or laboratory results that you might have
Your list of regular medications
Registration form: click here
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English
Cantonese
Mandarin
Interpreting services are available for other languages (please notify staff when making an appointment)
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Initial Consultation
· Standard (20 minutes): $250 minus Medicare rebate $88.40
· Prolonged consultation (>20 minutes): $280 minus Medicare rebate $88.40
Subsequent visit
· Standard (10 minutes): $150 minus Medicare rebate $44.45
· Prolonged review (>10 minutes): $180 minus Medicare rebate $44.45
Telephone consultation
· New (15 minutes): $220 minus Medicare rebate $88.40
· Review (10 minutes): $120 minus Medicare rebate $44.45
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Cost of surgery in a private hospital
For an insured patient:
Surgeon fee: Fees vary for each procedure and will be discussed at your consultation. Your private health insurance and Medicare Australia will cover the majority of the Surgeon's fees. However, Dr Ng typically bills a known gap fee - this is typically $500 out of pocket.
Hospital fee: Private hospitals may require payment depending on your level of insurance coverage. Please check with the hospital at the time of admission.
Anaesthetist fee: The anaesthetist's office will provide you a quote separately
For medicare eligible, non-insured patients:
In general, this is discouraged due to the potential for unforeseen costs if your admission is prolonged or if you require additional procedures than what was planned.
An estimated surgeon's quotation can be provided
Prepayment is required for surgery and anaesthetic
You will receive separate quotations for the Hospital Fee and Anaesthetist's Fee.
Cost of surgery in a public hospital
No gap fee (out-of-pocket charges)
Please note: no guarantee can be provided that Dr Ng will perform the procedure due to the nature of the public hospital waiting list and Health Department Regulation
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Telehealth may be available if you qualify and your condition is suitable. Please refer to your GP about this or ask the staff. A few things are required ahead of your appointment
A valid referral
A smartphone or computer: you need to be able to run Skype with a steady internet connection
A quiet location
Skype: Skype is a video conferencing app that is free to download from the app store or online, you are required to register this application prior to your scheduled appointment. https://www.skype.com/en
Your first consultation.
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Dr Ng will assess your symptoms, medical history and relevant investigations and discuss the most appropriate management for your condition.
Treatment may include non-surgical management, further investigation or surgery. Where surgery is recommended, Dr Ng will discuss the available options, including robotic, laparoscopic or open surgery where appropriate, based on your condition, anatomy and individual circumstances.
You will have the opportunity to discuss your treatment options, expected recovery, potential risks and prognosis.
Hospital admission information.
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Please check with your health insurance fund prior to admission your level of cover and any out of pocket expense (health fund excess) you may be required to pay.
2 days prior to admission, please contact us to confirm your admission time, paperwork, fasting time, and any further questions you may have.
What to bring to hospital:
Regular meds
Medical imaging
Private health insurance details
Pyjamas, toiletries
Mobile phone and charger (labelled)
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Epworth Eastern
1 Arnold st, Box Hill VIC 3128
Switchboard: 03 88077100
Prior to admission, please complete the following form - https://www.epworth.org.au/for-patients/planning-for-your-care/patient-admission
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Waverley Private Hospital
343-357 Blackburn Road
Mount Waverley VIC 3149
Prior to admission, please complete the following form - https://www.waverleyprivate.com.au/For-Patients/Online-Admission-Form
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Adeney Private Hospital
209 Cotham Rd,
Kew, VIC 3101
Prior to admission, please complete the following form - https://adeneyprivate.eadmissions.com.au
Preparing for Surgery
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Avoid non-prescription products containing aspirin and/or aspirin-like compounds. This includes NSAID (anti-inflammatory) analgesics.
Avoid prescription AND non-prescription products containing Ibuprofen.
Avoid prescription AND non-prescription products containing Naproxen sodium
Avoid Vitamin E. We also recommend not taking some natural herbs, such as St. John’s Wort, Ginko, Ginger, Biloba and Feverfew.
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Click here to read the instructions for patients under 75 years old without heart or kidney problems or inflammatory bowel disease.
Click here to read the instructions for patients over 75 years old or with heart or kidney problems or inflammatory bowel disease.
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Do not smoke or drink alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery.
Do NOT shave your surgery site
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Take nothing by mouth after midnight the night before your surgery or six hours prior to surgery. This includes not drinking any liquids, eating food, chewing gum, having a mint or smoking cigarettes.
Adults can shower or bathe the night before surgery, or on the morning of surgery. Do not swallow any water.
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Take your usual morning blood pressure and heart medicines with a sip of water. Ask your surgeon or the pre-procedure nurse about any other medications you take.
Do not wear any make-up on your face or around your eyes on the day of surgery.
Do not wear any fingernail polish. If you have acrylic nails, remove the acrylic and polish.
Wear your glasses instead of contacts on the day of surgery. If you must wear your contacts the day of surgery, bring a container for your lenses.
All jewellery must be removed, including all body piercing jewellery.
Wear comfortable clothing, preferably a button-down shirt.
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Talk with your nurse or anaesthetist about a light breakfast if your surgery is scheduled for later in the day.
If you are having an outpatient procedure, you must arrange for a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you.
You may want to bring pillows or blankets for your trip home.
If you develop a cold, persistent cough, fever or any other health-related problems, or if you need to cancel your surgery, please notify our staff as soon as possible (greater than 1 week is preferable).
You have the right to expect appropriate pain control. We may not be able to rid you of all your pain, but we can lower your pain to a level you can handle. Your anaesthetist and surgeon will prescribe analgesics to keep you comfortable.
Post-operative information.
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Every operation and recovery is different. Dr Ng will provide you with specific instructions following your procedure, including advice about wound care, activity, diet, medications, pain management and follow-up.
If you have any concerns or develop unexpected symptoms during your recovery, please contact the rooms for advice.
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Please refer to the post-operative information provided for your specific procedure. If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, please contact the rooms.