Dr Allan Clarke
Shoulder and Knee Surgeon
Initial Consultation
When you come for your first appointment, you will need to bring:
- A referral from your GP or other medical specialist
- Your Medicare card
- Health fund membership card or details
- Your x-rays and any other imaging films
- List of medications (if appropriate)
- Your list of questions for Dr Clarke
What to Wear
Female patients with a shoulder problem should wear a short sleeve top which allows good exposure of the shoulder joint.
Patients with a knee problem should wear shorts if possible for easy access to the thigh and knee joint.
The consultation will take about 20 minutes and will involve a physical examination. Some consultations can take longer if the problem is complex or arrangements for surgery are required. Dr Clarke will discuss your condition and recommend the best treatment options for you.
There is a charge for this consultation, part of which you can claim back from Medicare. This fee is payable at the time of consultation.
If surgery is necessary, a date for surgery can be booked at this consultation. Patients are under no pressure whatsoever to go ahead with surgery. If you are unsure at any time please feel free to discuss it further with Dr Clarke or his secretary.
We like to keep to our appointment schedule and respect that your time is valuable. We do our best to set aside the appropriate amount of time for each patient at the time of booking. In the event that we are running late, we try to contact patients, but it is not always possible. You may wish to call us prior to leaving home to find out if Dr Clarke is running to schedule if you have the pressure of another commitment after your appointment.
We do respect your time and we ask for the same courtesy. Missed appointments (no shows) affect our ability to provide timely attention to our patients. When a patient does not show up for their appointment, another patient loses an opportunity to be seen. If you are unable to make your appointment, we respectfully ask that you notify our clinic at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to cancel an appointment that you do not attend will be considered a missed appointment or no show.
The first no show will be followed up with a phone call reminding you of our missed appointment. If you fail to attend two consecutive appointments no further appointments will be scheduled.
There is a charge for this consultation, part of which you can claim back from Medicare. This fee is payable at the time of consultation.
If surgery is necessary, a date for surgery can be booked at this consultation. Patients are under no pressure whatsoever to go ahead with surgery. If you are unsure at any time please feel free to discuss it further with Dr Clarke or his secretary.
We like to keep to our appointment schedule and respect that your time is valuable. We do our best to set aside the appropriate amount of time for each patient at the time of booking. In the event that we are running late, we try to contact patients, but it is not always possible. You may wish to call us prior to leaving home to find out if Dr Clarke is running to schedule if you have the pressure of another commitment after your appointment.
Missed Appointments (No Shows)
We do respect your time and we ask for the same courtesy. Missed appointments (no shows) affect our ability to provide timely attention to our patients. When a patient does not show up for their appointment, another patient loses an opportunity to be seen. If you are unable to make your appointment, we respectfully ask that you notify our clinic at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to cancel an appointment that you do not attend will be considered a missed appointment or no show.
Protocol for No Shows
The first no show will be followed up with a phone call reminding you of our missed appointment. If you fail to attend two consecutive appointments no further appointments will be scheduled.