New Patients
What You Need To Know
Professor Mark Ashton
MB., BS. MD. FRACS (Plas)
Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Our aim is to provide a comprehensive, informative and personalised patient experience. During the initial consultation process, you will have the opportunity to meet Prof Ashton, our dedicated nursing and administration staff, and our practice manager.
We encourage every patient to seek a second opinion with a qualified specialist plastic surgeon, before proceeding with any surgical procedures.
AHPRA registration number – MED0001135718
INITIAL CONSULTATION
Your initial consultation with Prof Ashton will require a valid referral from your general practitioner (GP), or other qualified healthcare provider. It is preferable that your referral is from your usual GP, as they will ensure all relevant medical history is included in your referral.
During your consultation, you and Prof Ashton will discuss your treatment objectives, and with your written consent, clinical photos will likely be taken for medical purposes. Mark will assess your medical history to ensure that all suitable and relevant treatment options are thoroughly discussed with you.
Our nursing staff and practice manager will also provide additional information regarding the procedure discussed, to ensure you are well-informed and you understand your choices. You will be afforded adequate opportunity to address any remaining questions prior to leaving our rooms, we are always happy to answer questions you may have.
You are welcome to have a support person with you during your consultation, especially if your procedure is complex. If you have young children, we kindly ask for you to please arrange alternative care for your children on the day of your consultation, so that you can devote your complete attention to your consultation.
SECOND CONSULTATION
If you decide to progress with your surgery, after having reviewed the information provided to you during your initial consultation, you will then have a second consultation with Prof Ashton for further discussion. During your second appointment, you will also meet with one of our nurses again to discuss the necessary surgical documentation, including the initial preoperative and postoperative care instructions.
Whilst you may be enthusiastic to schedule your surgery as soon as possible following your second consultation, if your procedure is determined as purely cosmetic – thus not eligible for an item number, a mandatory 7-day cooling off period must be satisfied in accordance with the current AHPRA guidelines. Following this cooling off period, you will have the ability to secure a surgical date and pay the required deposit.
COMMUNICATION
Communication is one of the most important aspects of your consultation process and surgical planning. It allows you and your surgeon the ability to ensure your concerns and the related surgical options have been adequately discussed.
Our bodies are all unique and no two people will have the same results. In our practice, we find most patients invariably have a pre-determined result in mind. Therefore, it is critical you are always afforded a platform to openly and clearly communicate with your plastic surgeon, to ensure they understand the results you are hoping to achieve, prior to your surgery.
We find one of the most effective tools to communicate your wishes is via images. We encourage you to bring screenshots or photos to your initial consultation to articulate this.
INITIAL CONSULTATION FEE
Our Initial consultation fee is $295, payable no later than 2 weeks prior to the consultation date.
All patients attending a consultation will require a GP referral.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To confirm your consultation, payment is required no later than 2 weeks prior to your consultation date.
Due to the demand of consultations, if we have not received payment 2 weeks prior, your appointment will be cancelled.
If you cancel or reschedule your consultation less than 48 hours prior to your consultation, we reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee equal to the value of your consultation fee.
In addition, if you do not arrive for your consultation, we reserve the right to charge you a ‘no-show’ fee equal to the value of your consultation fee.
Do I Need A Referral?
To schedule an appointment with Prof Mark Ashton, all patients must have a valid referral from a general practitioner (GP), or other qualified healthcare provider. It is preferable that your referral is from your usual GP, as they will ensure all relevant medical history is included in your referral.
If you wish to make an appointment with Prof Mark Ashton, please call (03) 8560 0590.
