Consultations

A/Prof Hansen consults with Private and WorkCover/Third Party patients at our main consulting suite at Newcastle Private Hospital. A/Prof Hansen also consults 1 day every 2nd month at Northwest Neurology in Tamworth for private patients only.

Public patients can see A/Prof Hansen at his Neurosurgical Outpatients Clinic, Royal Newcastle Centre in John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Our professional and friendly staff are here to help and we want your experience to be as smooth as possible.

Newcastle Brain and Spine – Reception and Staff

Requirements

Certain requirements must be met before you’re able to book an appointment to see A/Prof Hansen. The requirements vary for each type of patient.

Referrals

All patients require a referral from their GP or other specialist and a copy must be supplied before a booking can be made.

This is because the urgency of each referral is assessed and appointments are prioritised accordingly.

Referrals from General Practitioners are valid for twelve months but only three months from Specialists.

Further requirements

Other details are required along with your referral, please check your appropriate page for more details…

Bookings

Bookings are made by first sending your referral and other required details, then you will be contacted to make an appointment.

Due to heavy demand on appointments only privately insured patients and approved WorkCover/Third Party patients can be seen in the private rooms at Newcastle Private Hospital and only private patients at Northwest Neurology in Tamworth.

Private and WorkCover/Third Party Patients

Please email or fax your referral, health fund/Medicare details, contact details & Workcover/Third Party Insurer approval for consultation (if applicable) to our private rooms at:

E: appointment@neurosurgeon.asia
F: 4027 5678

If you have any questions please call us on:

P: 4956 3440

Public (Uninsured) Patients

Your referral must be faxed to the Referral Management Centre at John Hunter Hospital at:

F: 4922 3900

Referrals must be faxed, there is no option to email unfortunately.

If you have any questions please contact the Referral Management Centre on:

P: 4922 3912

Initial Consultations

Extra time is allocated for your initial consultation. As mentioned, your initial consultation requires a referral. A higher fee is charged for initial consultations. Your fee will be advised at time of booking.

Please arrive 5 minutes early for your appointment for registration and to fill in a health questionnaire.

We try to be on time

We recognise your time is valuable and we make every effort to run on time but occasionally there’s an emergency or a patient needs a little longer due to the seriousness of their condition which can cause delays beyond our control. We apologise if we keep you waiting and appreciate your patience.

Further consultations

You may need to return for test results, further investigations and ongoing monitoring of your condition.  A lower fee is charged for these consultations as less time is usually allocated. Your fee will be advised at time of booking.

Post-operative consultations

The early post-operative care consultation is included in the fee for surgery (this includes the in-hospital care).

At times further care is required in hospital which may require billing.

You will see A/Prof Hansen

Consultations may start with a trained Neurosurgical Assistant then A/Prof Hansen will consult with his Assistant before reviewing you. You will always see A/Prof Hansen at a consultation in the private rooms.

Newcastle Brain & Spine reception desk

Fees and Payment

If you’re a private patient seen in the private rooms your consultation fees are payable on the day of your consultation. You’ll be advised of your fee and possible Medicare rebates when you make your booking.  You may pay by cash, cheque, EFTPOS or credit card (MasterCard or Visa).  Medicare rebates can be claimed by private patients if Medicare eligible.

If you have an approved current WorkCover or Third Party claim the account will be forwarded to your insurer.  For that reason written approval for the consultation by A/Prof Hansen must be provided to us by your insurer prior to allocation of your appointment.

If you need any more billing information please feel free to contact us.

A/Prof Hansen’s Research

We may ask you to complete questionnaires while you’re here if you’re included in A/Prof Hansen’s research, which aims to provide improved treatment outcomes.