Clinic appointments (outpatients)
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital provides a range of outpatient services for the communuty. More information about outpatient services is available for health professionals.
Have you received a letter or text message from us?
Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Hospitals are reviewing outpatient specialist appointment records to check the needs of patients.
We understand that not everyone will require their outpatient specialist appointment and that some people may seek care elsewhere.
We have sent letters or a text message (SMS) via Personify to patients who have an outpatient specialist referral or an appointment so we can confirm their current needs.
If you have received a letter or text message from us, please follow the instructions outlined in the letter or text message.
Referrals
To be seen at SCGH Outpatient Clinics, all patients need a referral from your GP or specialist. This provides written information including your details, history and information on what consultation or care you need. Patients may also be seen for continuing care after a hospital admission.
All referrals are reviewed by the speciality and assigned a priority based on the information provided, which drives when appointments are made.
For more information on your referral you can check acceptance and priority category using Manage My Care (external site). It may take up to a week after this has been sent to appear.
Manage My Care
Manage My Care (external site) is a free mobile and web-based app where you can track public outpatient appointments and referrals for yourself or those in your care at times that are convenient for you.
Key features:
- 24/7 access to outpatient information
- See appointments and active referrals
- Track appointments for the people you are for
- Update your contact details
Manage My Care can be downloaded as a free app from the Apple Store or Google Play, or by visiting HealthyWA (external site).
Making an appointment
Most outpatients receive a letter in the mail detailing their appointment approximately a month before the appointment. If the appointment has changed or is scheduled in a shorter time frame, you may receive a phone call or text message from us.
For information about your appointment, and in most clinics to request a reschedule you can use Manage My Care (external site) at any time. You can also reschedule or cancel an appointment by contacting Outpatient Direct on 1300 855 275, or the number on the bottom of your appointment letter.
What to bring
It is recommended that patients bring to hospital, or have available for telephone or telehealth appointments:
- Medicare card or healthcare card
- a list of current medications (including creams, eye drops and over the counter medications)
- any relevant x-rays, investigations and/or test results
- If you do not have a current Medicare card please provide a copy of your passport, visa and health insurance details.
Your outpatient letter may also include specific instructions for the appointment.
Questions to ask
To help you make the right decisions about your health care, there are a number of useful questions you can consider asking at your appointment. These questions may help to guide you on what to ask to ensure you get the care that is right for you.
- Do I really need this test, treatment or procedure?
- What are the risks?
- Are their simpler, safer options?
- What happens if I don’t do anything?
- What are the costs?
More information is available on the Choosing Wisely Australia website (external site).
Changing an appointment
For information about your appointment, and in most clinics to request a reschedule you can use Manage My Care (external site) at any time. You can also reschedule or cancel an appointment by contacting Outpatient Direct on 1300 855 275, or the number on the bottom of your appointment letter.
If Outpatient Direct is unable to assist with your enquiry, they may transfer you to the appropriate clinic or send a message to the clinic with your enquiry.
More information is available on the Outpatient Direct website (external site).
Changing contact details
All patients are able to update their contact details, or for registered carers/next of kin that of a patient you care for in Manage My Care (external site) at any time.
Outpatient Direct on 1300 855 275 can also assist with updating contact details such as postal address and phone numbers, and with the location of your appointment should you forget or misplace the appointment letter.
It is important to keep your contact details up to date so we can contact you regarding your appointment.
Need help with transport to and from your outpatient medical appointments?
Wherever possible, outpatients are expected to arrange their own travel to and from their appointments. However, if you need some support to attend your appointment(s) there are a range of free and low-cost options that may be available to you:
Community Patient Transport Service
The Department of Health’s Community Patient Transport Service is available at no cost to people over 65 or 55 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander who receive a pension and have a written referral by a medical practitioner specifying that it is clinically necessary for them to be transported using the service.
Find out more: Community patient transport services (external site)
Local council
Some local councils may provide low-cost or free community transport services to and from medical appointments for those who do not have private transportation and are unable to use public transport. Please contact your local council for more information.
Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
Patients holding a Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card are also entitlement to free taxi travel to appointments.
Find out more: Veteran Gold Card (external site)
Motor Vehicle Accident or Workers Compensation Insurance
Reasonable travel expenses to attend medical appointments and rehabilitation services are generally covered under both Motor Vehicle Accident and Workers Compensation insurance.
Hospital-funded outpatient transport service
A Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital (SCGH) hospital-funded outpatient transport service is available to eligible patients who meet the required clinical criteria and who are not able to access alternative options.
A referral needs to be made by your treating team which is assessed every six months. Please note, transport may not always be available due to service limitations. Please speak to your treating team.
Additional transport options
There are a range of additional options available for eligible patients.
Seniors
If you are a senior, and you have a Support at Home Package (SaH) or receive support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) you have multiple alternative transport options available to you:
Seniors Smart Rider
The Seniors SmartRider card is combined with the Western Australian Seniors card. Transperth provides public transport services for the Perth metropolitan area.
For free off-peak travel on Monday to Friday, start your journey by tagging on before 6am, after 9am or before 3.30pm and after 7pm. If your initial tag on is between 6am and 9am or 3.30pm and 7pm you will be charged a concession fare for that journey. Call the Transperth InfoLine on 13 62 13 or plan your journey via the Transperth website (external site)
Tel: 13 62 13
Web: www.transperth.wa.gov.au/smartrider/types-of-smartrider/seniors-smartrider
MyAged Care
A help-at-home service that can arrange transport vouchers and subsidies, assistance with shopping, visiting health practitioners and attending social activities.
Depending on your eligibility, it can be provided on its own, through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or with other services, as part of a Home Care Package. To find out what services you are eligible for, you will need to be assessed. Find out if you are eligible and if a transport service is provided in your area:
Tel: 1800 200 422
Web: www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-services/transport
Free Annual Trip Scheme
If you are a pensioner who lives outside of metropolitan Perth and north of the 26th parallel, you are entitled to one return journey by air or coach per year to Perth or one return journey elsewhere to the South West Land Division (provided the fare is not greater than that to Perth).
Web: www.transport.wa.gov.au/aboutus/pensioner-annual-free-trip-scheme
People with disabilities
Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme (PTSS)
The PTSS is a subsidy available to eligible people with disability travelling in on-demand rank or hail (taxi) vehicles. PTSS participants can receive up to 75 per cent off eligible taxi fares.
Web: www.transport.wa.gov.au/on-demand-transport/passenger-transport-subsidy-scheme
Tel: Transport WA on 13 11 56.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
NDIS participants will generally be able to access funding through the NDIS for transport assistance if the participant cannot use public transport without substantial difficulty due to their disability. There are different levels of transport support offered.
Web: Transport funding | NDIS
Tel: 1800 800 110
People with cancer
Two Rocks Yanchep Assisted Cancer Travels (TRYACT)
TRYACT is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in 2013 in response to the need within the communities of Two Rocks and Yanchep to have access to a sustainable support service for people who have been affected by Cancer.
Web: www.tryact.com.au
Tel: 0414 702 726
The Leukaemia Foundation
The Leukaemia Foundation can provide practical transport support for eligible people with blood-related cancers to attend their cancer-related medical appointments. This can include fuel, Uber or taxi vouchers to ease the cost of travel. You need to apply with the support of your treating team:
Web: www.leukaemia.org.au/get-support/transport-service/
Tel: 1800 620 420
Breast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Care may be able to offer some short-term financial assistance towards transport costs, alongside refer you to an appropriate community service.
Web: www.breastcancer.org.au/how-we-can-help/financial-support/
Tel: (08) 93243703
The Blue Dot Army
The Blue Dot Army can assess individual requests for volunteer transportation services to help where alleviate the transport burden.
Web: www.bluedotarmy.com.au/what-we-do
Tel: 0402 472 628
Aboriginal people
Additional community transport support is available for Aboriginal people with complex chronic health conditions (who meet eligibility criteria). This can be accessed through your local Aboriginal Medical Service or your GP.
Telehealth
Your clinician may determine your appointment can be conducted through telehealth or by telephone. Your appointment type and instructions will be included on your appointment letter and in Manage My Care.
Telehealth is a health appointment by videoconference, connecting you with your medical specialist, allied health professional or nurse. This can be at home, or at another hospital or health service closer to your home if appropriate.
If you prefer a telehealth or telephone appointment, you can ring the number on the bottom of your appointment letter or Outpatient Direct on 1300 855 275 to ask if your appointment can be conducted by telehealth or telephone.
In Australia, overseas visitors, overseas students and patients who are not eligible for Medicare under their current VISA arrangements are required to pay for the cost of their health care. Please contact the Overseas Liaison Officer on (08) 6457 1809 or email NMHS.OPLO@health.wa.gov.au to obtain information regarding fees for your appointment.
For more information on Telehealth, visit Healthy WA (external site).
Overseas patient fees
In Australia, overseas visitors, overseas students and patients who are not eligible for Medicare under their current VISA arrangements are required to pay for the cost of their health care. More information about overseas patient fees.
Please contact the Overseas Liaison Officer on (08) 6457 1809 or email NMHS.OPLO@health.wa.gov.au to obtain information regarding fees for your appointment.
Carers and families
Patients are welcome to bring a carer or family member with them to their appointment. If they would normally attend your appointments we would encourage you to ask them to be with you for telephone or telehealth appointments.
At the current time we ask that only one person accompany you to a face to face appointment to support safe physical distancing.
If you would like a carer or family member to be able to speak with us on your behalf, please ensure that their details are listed as next of kin. This can be updated by speaking to clerical staff at your appointment, using Manage My Care at any time or by contacting Outpatient Direct on 1300 855 275.
Listed next of kin are also able to view and manage your outpatient appointments through Manage My Care if you give them permission to do so.
Specialties and services
Specialties and services available at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital outpatient clinics include:
- Allied Health (including Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Speech Pathology and Social Work)
- Breast Centre
- Cardiology
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Dermatology
- Ear, Nose and Throat
- Endocrinology and Diabetes
- Gastroenterology
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Haematology
- Hepatology (Liver Service)
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurological Intervention and Imaging Service of WA (NIISwa)
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Pain Management
- Palliative Care
- Pulmonary Physiology and Sleep Medicine
- Plastic Surgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Rehabilitation and Aged Care
- Renal Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
- Urology
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
- Youth Cancer Service
- WA Liver and Kidney Transplant Service.
Chaperone / Observers at your clinic appointment
Protecting the privacy and dignity of our patients is a key part of NMHS core values. All patients within SCGOPHCG will be offered the presence of a chaperone for examinations that are intimate in nature. Please let us know your preferences, as someone’s understanding and expectations of intimate examinations can vary according to their background and beliefs.
Tertiary hospital - what that means to you
Education is a key mission of Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group (SCGOPHCG), as we know continual learning at all levels is key to improving patient care.
You will come across learners in all fields, from students through to senior practitioners and all are bound by rules of ethical behaviour and confidentiality. If you do not wish a learner to be involved you can say no as we recognise you may be unwell or stressed, however most patients learn more about their condition when learners are involved in their care.
If you have any concerns about any interaction, please contact us via email: SCGOPHCG.MedEd@health.wa.gov.au.
Contact us
Outpatient Direct
Tel: 1300 855 275
TTY callers 133 677
(local call costs apply)
Hours: 7.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday
Web: healthywa.wa.gov.au
SCGH Outpatient Clinics Map (PDF)