Upon receiving your referral, Dr Downes conducts a thorough triage process to assess the urgency of each patient’s condition. This process involves reviewing your medical history, symptoms, and any diagnostic information provided by the GP including any imaging. Dr Downes prioritises patients based on the severity and clinical urgency of their condition.

The triage process can take up to two weeks. This is due to the volume of referrals Dr Downes receives.

Once the triage process is complete, patients selected for appointments receive notification via email. The appointment letter includes details such as the date, time, and location of the scheduled appointment with Dr Downes. Additionally, the letter may specify any additional imaging or tests required by Dr Downes to further assess the patient’s condition.

The timeframe for appointments is determined based on the clinical urgency of each patient’s condition, as assessed by Dr Downes. Patients with more urgent medical needs are prioritised for earlier appointment slots, ensuring they receive timely medical attention.

Please note that Dr Cameron Downes does not accept uninsured patients for consultation or treatment in his private practice. This decision has been made to ensure that private patients who require surgical intervention are seen within an appropriate timeframe and to streamline patient care pathways. Dr Downes does accept patients who are under; WorkCover, DVA or a Third Party Insurer.

We request that you arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment to allow time to complete a patient registration form and medical history form.

You will first be seen by our experienced practice nurse. The nurse will take down a detailed history, including information about your injury, past and current medical conditions, and current symptoms. This initial assessment is designed to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your health profile, facilitating a smoother and more efficient appointment with Dr Downes.
If you have any specific concerns or questions you would like to address during this preliminary assessment, please feel free to communicate them with the practice nurse. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to providing you with the best possible care.
We recognise that your time is valuable, and we make every effort to run on time. Occasionally emergencies occur or patients require more time than anticipated. This may cause scheduling delays beyond our control. To avoid disappointment, we recommend you do not make any other significant appointments on the morning or afternoon that you visit the clinic.

Until you have had a consultation with Dr Cameron Downes, we are unable to provide you with a quote for any surgical procedures. At no time will our reception staff be able to determine what operation you will require and are therefore unable to provide you with a quote prior to any consultation.

Once the decision has been made to proceed with surgery, we are then able to provide you with a full itemised quote. This will outline Dr Downes’ fees based on the proposed surgery, the estimated amount rebatable through Medicare and your private health fund and the out-of-pocket expense you will incur for surgery. As a practice policy, Dr Downes does not participate in “no gap” or “gap scheme” arrangements with any of the health funds.

SURGICAL ASSISTANT
A surgical assistant is an important part of Dr Downes’s team. All of Dr Downes’s assistants are medical practitioners, and a fee does apply to their services. This fee is charged on their behalf by Dr Downes and is included in your surgical fee.

ANAESTHETIST
The anaesthetist’s fee is independent of Dr Downes’s fees and is determined by the anaesthetist. You will be provided with the name and number for the anaesthetist from Cairns Anaesthetic Group, who will be looking after you on the day. Please phone them directly for an estimate of their fees.

FORMS OF PAYMENT
We require pre-payment at least 2 days prior to surgery. Payment can be made in either of the following ways:

Direct Deposit/EFT
Account Name: Dr Cameron Downes
Bank: Westpac
BSB: 034-167
Account #: 555 441 Reference: (your name or invoice number)

Visa/Mastercard – payable in person during office hours Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5pm, or by phoning our rooms on 07 4281 6950.

Please note that we require payment of the total amount, not the out-of-pocket amount. The rebate and out of pocket amounts are for your information and are estimated amounts only.

HOSPITAL FEES
The hospital will charge fees separately to Dr Downes. In many cases these will be covered by your insurance. You are advised to contact your health insurer prior to surgery to confirm any out-of-pocket costs that may apply.

OTHER COSTS
Other costs as an inpatient may include medications, blood tests, physiotherapy, and/or radiology.

Further information on health care and it’s costs can be found here – Informed Financial Consent Guide

DAY PATIENT
Complete forms in Cairns Private Hospital pack and deliver to the Cairns Private Hospital at least ONE WEEK prior to your operation date.

OVERNIGHT / LONGER STAY PATIENT
Attend the Pre-Admission Clinic with the Cairns Private Hospital by contacting the clinic on 07 4052 5128. Attendance at the pre-admission clinic is frequently required pre-operatively. Our Nurse will also have sent a referral to the Pre-Admissions.

MEDICATIONS
Our surgeon and nurses will discuss with you the medications that require withholding prior to surgery. These are commonly blood thinning and some diabetic medications. All vitamins and natural supplements should be stopped at least 7 days prior to surgery as these can interact with the other medications used during your procedure.

Your other regular prescription medication such as blood pressure tablets should be continued as per normal with a sip of water, even if fasting.

ADMISSION AND FASTING TIMES
You will need to contact our rooms between 2pm – 4pm the day prior to your surgery. We will then provide you with your admission and fasting times.

POST OPERATIVE APPOINTMENTS
You will need to make an appointment with your GP at the 2-week mark post-surgery. This is to have your wound reviewed and re-dressed and to discuss pain management. You will then have an appointment with Dr Downes at the 6-week mark post-surgery here in the rooms.

PAIN RELIEF
As certain surgeries can involve some post-operative pain, pain relief is recommended. There are many different medications available. Pain relief medication such as ‘Endone’ and those containing ‘codeine’ such as ‘panadeine forte’ may cause constipation. Increased water consumption is advised during this time. Pear juice is another alternative. If constipation persists, please contact your GP.

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE)
This is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein. It commonly affects the leg veins such as the femoral vein or the popliteal vein. DVT’s commonly occur due to the immobilisation of a limb (i.e., post-surgery). TED stockings help prevent the formations of DVT’s and are usually worn until the person is mobilising. Dr Downes may prescribe aspirin or an alternate anticoagulant if a history of blood clot formation exists.

WOUNDS
Wounds result from surgery. It is important to recognise the signs and symptoms of an infected wound so appropriate treatment can be commenced. These include; pain, redness (around wound), purulent and offensive discharge, swelling and heat, night sweats and having flu-like symptoms. If present, or if you are concerned, contact Spine Bone Body immediately, or contact your GP if out of hours.

DRESSINGS
Dressings should be left intact until your post-operative appointment unless specific post-op instructions advise otherwise. Dressings used for most surgeries are splash-proof but NOT waterproof. Always follow the direction of the specialist or health professional given at the time of discharge.

Yes – To see Dr Downes, you will require a referral including imaging from your GP or treating doctor.

Patients who have a valid Medicare Card and valid referral will receive a Medicare rebate for their consultation. Please see our Fees section for more information.

An initial consultation is approximately 50 minutes.

You will first be seen by our experienced practice nurse. The nurse will take down a detailed history, including information about your injury, past and current medical conditions, and current symptoms. This initial assessment is designed to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your health profile, facilitating a smoother and more efficient appointment with Dr Downes.

We recognise that your time is valuable, and we make every effort to run on time. Occasionally emergencies occur or patients require more time than anticipated. This may cause scheduling delays beyond our control. To avoid disappointment, we recommend you do not make any other significant appointments on the morning or afternoon that you visit the clinic.

Copies of investigation reports, operation reports, X-rays, MRI’s, CT scans or any other relevant information.

Medicare and Private Health cards.

Wear comfortable clothing if possible so the doctor can easily access your area of concern.

Please see our Fees section for further information on consultation fees and Medicare rebates.

Yes – We will send you a confirmation text 3 days prior to your appointment. Should you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment please respond via text message or call the clinic during business hours allowing at least 1 days’ notice so that we can offer the appointment to another patient.

Dr Downes does not accept uninsured patients for consultation or treatment at his private practice. This decision has been made to ensure that private patients who require surgical intervention are seen within an appropriate timeframe and to streamline patient care pathways. To be seen at the Outpatients Clinic at the Cairns Hospital, please speak with your GP to arrange a referral.

Yes – Please ensure that you bring all approvals and contact details of the insurer with you to your appointment. Please note that WorkCover will only pay $205.00 of this fee, therefore a $155.00 GAP payment is payable by you at the time of your consultation. This is a “GAP Payment”, which is not eligible for a rebate from Medicare.

Yes – Please ensure that you bring along your Gold / White / Orange / Purple card with you to your appointment.