Surgical Services

Seven specialty surgical units operate and are staffed by consultants. 

If you require an appointment with a consultant under the public health scheme, please call (03) 5320 4221 or send fax through to (03) 5320 4822.

You will need a GP referral prior to booking an appointment. 

If you require information regarding a procedure booking please call (03) 5320 4248.

PDPU is situated on the first floor of the Henry Bolte Wing Base Hospital site. 

It is the admissions center for the hospital, handling clerical and nursing admissions for all same-day elective surgery, endoscopy, diagnostic and medical procedure patients. The unit is staffed by Registered Nurses, who care for patients in recovery after their day procedures. The recovery period, after a day procedure, is approximately 2 hours.
For more information, please call (03) 5320 6494.

All patients going onto an elective surgery waiting list are placed in order of highest need, also called triage. This service assess each patient's health condition and will triage patients to the surgical waiting list. 

When attending a pre-admission check, each patient may need to fill in the following  paper work: 

• Patient Health Questionnaire
• Unit specific Pre-admission Clinic
• Anaesthetic Pre-admission Clinic

Pre-admission Clinics are an Outpatients Clinic, staffed by Anesthetists, Surgical Doctors, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, such as Physiotherapists and Social Workers.

Patients attending these clinics, undergo a thorough assessment of their health. Any problems identified from this assessment can be addressed immediately and any further tests or treatment ordered. Information is provided about surgery and what patients can expect before and after surgery. The type of anesthetic that will be used in each procedure will also be discussed. 

The Anaesthetic Pre-admission Clinic provides a Consultant Anesthetist to access each patient's anesthetic needs. 

Admission to hospital can be a stressful time for patients, families and carers. Information about this process will hopefully reduce this stress.

• Parking is limited around the hospital. There is a hospital car park that can be used by patients.
• All phone calls to the patient from the hospital will be from a No Caller ID.
• Please bring all of your medications in their boxes to all of your appointments.
• Please make sure that you bring your reading glasses to all appointments.
• Please notify the hospital as soon as possible if you are unable to make your appointment, so that other patients may be able to use that time slot.
• If you are a day case, please make sure that you have a responsible person over the age of 18 to pick you up and to stay with you overnight after your operation.
• The Perioperative Day Unit admits patients to 6 different theatres, Radiology, Endoscopy and the Cath lab each day. This may be why you see other patients going to theatre before you.
• Your admission time is determined by your surgical team. You may need a particular blood test, x-ray or other procedure before your operation.
• The theatre list can also change at the last minute due to emergencies, staff and equipment availability. We will always try and keep you updated, if there are any changes that will affect your operation time.
• If your operation, unfortunately, needs to be cancelled, the doctor or nursing staff will inform you. You will be offered something to eat and drink and a liaison nurse will be in touch with you to re-schedule your operation.