Do I Need a Referral to See a General Surgeon in Campbelltown?
The Short Answer
A GP referral is recommended to see Dr Kaushal and is required to claim a Medicare rebate on the specialist consultation fee. Without a referral, you can still attend as a self-funded private patient — however you will not receive a Medicare rebate, and the full consultation fee applies. For most people, starting with a GP is the right first step — and the process is straightforward. |
Why Is a GP Referral the Recommended Starting Point?
In Australia, specialist medical care — including surgical consultations — is generally accessed through a GP referral pathway. This system exists for good reasons, and understanding why helps patients navigate it more effectively.
What a GP referral does for you:
- Ensures your symptoms are assessed by a clinician before specialist booking — important because many symptoms that seem to need a surgeon can be managed or further investigated by a GP first
- Allows your GP to arrange initial investigations — blood tests, ultrasound, or other imaging — before the surgical consultation, so the specialist appointment is as productive as possible
- Directs you to the right specialist — a GP can advise whether a general surgeon, gastroenterologist, gynaecologist or another specialist is the appropriate referral for your symptoms
- Unlocks your Medicare rebate — a valid GP referral is required to claim an eligible Medicare rebate on the specialist consultation fee
- Coordinates your care — your GP remains informed about specialist opinions, investigation results and management plans, supporting continuity of care
You do not need to see your usual GP: A referral from any registered GP in Australia is valid — including a GP at a walk-in clinic, after-hours medical centre, or telehealth service. If your usual GP has a long wait and you need a referral promptly, attending a bulk-billing or after-hours GP for a referral is entirely appropriate. |
How Does the Referral Process Work?
Understanding how Medicare and specialist fees work in Australia helps patients prepare financially for a surgical consultation.
GP referral and Medicare rebates:
When you attend a specialist consultation with a valid GP referral, Medicare covers a rebate on a portion of the specialist fee. The amount of the rebate depends on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item number for the consultation and the type of referral. The difference between the specialist’s fee and the Medicare rebate is called the gap — and this varies between practices.
Situation | How fees work |
With a valid GP referral (private patient) | Medicare rebate applies to the consultation fee. An out-of-pocket gap may apply — contact the rooms in advance to discuss fees. |
Without a GP referral (self-funded) | No Medicare rebate. The full consultation fee applies. Still possible to attend — contact the rooms to discuss. |
Medicare card required? | Yes — bring your Medicare card to every appointment. Without it, Medicare cannot process the rebate at the time of consultation. |
Private health insurance | Private health insurance generally covers hospital and operative costs, not outpatient specialist consultations. Contact your insurer to confirm your specific cover. |
Pensioner / concession | Contact the rooms to discuss whether concession arrangements are available. Medicare rebates still apply with a valid concession card and GP referral. |
Always ask about fees in advance: Medicare rebates and private health insurance benefits may apply depending on the service, referral and individual policy. Contact the rooms on (02) 7906 8312 and your insurer directly to understand your expected out-of-pocket costs before your appointment. |
How Long Is a GP Referral Valid?
In Australia, GP referrals to specialists have defined validity periods under the Medicare rules:
Referral Type | Validity |
Standard GP referral | Valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Covers all related consultations with the same specialist during that period. |
Indefinite referral | Some GPs write an indefinite referral for ongoing specialist care. This covers all related consultations until the treating relationship ends. |
After referral expires | A new referral from your GP is required. The specialist can continue to provide care but Medicare rebates are not claimable without a current valid referral. |
Tip: If you are seeing Dr Kaushal for an ongoing condition — such as post-bariatric follow-up or hernia surveillance — ask your GP for an indefinite referral so you do not need to return for a new referral letter at each 12-month interval. |
Urgent Referrals — When You Should Not Wait
For most surgical conditions, the process of seeing your GP, having initial investigations, and then booking a specialist appointment over a period of weeks is appropriate. However, some symptoms require a more urgent pathway. Your GP can mark a referral as urgent — and Dr Kaushal’s rooms prioritise urgent referrals for prompt appointment.
Symptoms that warrant an urgent GP review and surgical referral:
- Rectal bleeding with unexplained weight loss or change in bowel habit — requires urgent investigation to exclude colorectal cancer
- New or rapidly worsening upper abdominal symptoms in a person over 50 — particularly with weight loss or difficulty swallowing
- Positive National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (FOBT) result — colonoscopy should be arranged promptly, typically within 30 days
- Hernia with sudden increased pain, firmness or inability to reduce — may indicate incarceration or strangulation
- Rapidly enlarging skin or soft tissue lump — requires assessment to exclude malignancy
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes) with abdominal symptoms — requires urgent biliary assessment
🔴 Attend an emergency department immediately (do not wait for a GP referral) for: • Severe constant abdominal pain — particularly with fever, vomiting or inability to pass wind • Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools • A hernia that is very painful, firm and cannot be pushed back — associated with vomiting • Collapse, rapid heartbeat or signs of shock with abdominal symptoms These presentations require emergency assessment. Do not wait for a GP appointment or specialist referral. |
What to Bring to Your Surgical Consultation in Campbelltown
To make your consultation with Dr Kaushal as efficient and productive as possible, bring the following:
- GP referral letter — the original letter from your GP addressed to Dr Kaushal or a specialist general surgeon
- Medicare card — required to process the Medicare rebate on the consultation
- Private health insurance details — if applicable, bring your membership card or number
- Blood test results — any pathology results arranged by your GP relevant to your presenting symptoms
- Imaging reports and films — ultrasound reports, CT scan reports, or X-ray reports. If your imaging was done digitally, ask the radiology provider for a CD or online access link
- Previous specialist letters — any previous gastroenterology, colorectal, or surgical specialist letters relevant to your condition
- Medication list — a complete list of current medications including dose and frequency, including over-the-counter supplements and vitamins
- Hospital discharge summaries — if you have had a recent hospital admission related to your condition
- A support person — you are welcome to bring a family member or support person to your appointment
If you cannot find your referral letter: Contact your GP to ask for a copy, or ask the GP clinic to send the referral directly to Dr Kaushal’s rooms by fax or secure message. Consultations cannot proceed without a valid referral for Medicare rebate purposes, though the rooms team can advise on options if you are in this situation. |
Who Can Write a Referral to a General Surgeon?
A referral to a specialist surgeon can be written by:
- Your usual GP: The most common pathway. Your regular GP who knows your medical history can write the most comprehensive referral letter.
- A different GP: Any registered GP can write a valid referral — including a GP at a walk-in clinic, after-hours medical centre, or telehealth service. If your usual GP has a long wait, this is a practical alternative.
- A GP at a hospital outpatient clinic: If you have been assessed at a hospital outpatient clinic or emergency department, the treating doctor can provide a referral letter.
- Another specialist: A referral from another specialist is valid — for example, a gastroenterologist referring for surgical assessment, or a physician referring for bariatric assessment.
Telehealth referrals: A referral obtained through a GP telehealth consultation is valid for Medicare purposes, provided the GP is registered and the telehealth consultation meets Medicare requirements. This can be a convenient option for patients in the Campbelltown and Macarthur region who have difficulty attending in person for a referral. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call Dr Kaushal’s rooms directly without a referral?
Yes — you are welcome to contact the rooms to ask questions about the practice, discuss whether Dr Kaushal sees your type of condition, or enquire about the referral process. However, to book and attend a consultation that attracts a Medicare rebate, a valid GP referral is required. The rooms team can advise you on what is needed and whether to obtain a referral before booking.
My GP referred me to a different surgeon — can I see Dr Kaushal instead?
Yes. You are not bound to see the specific surgeon named on your referral letter. A referral letter addressed generally to ‘a specialist general surgeon’ or ‘a surgeon’ is valid for any appropriate surgeon. Even a referral addressed to a specific named surgeon can generally be redirected — contact the rooms to discuss. In some cases your GP may be happy to rewrite the referral addressed specifically to Dr Kaushal.
How long will I wait for an appointment after getting a referral?
Routine appointments are generally available within a few weeks. Urgent referrals — for conditions such as a positive bowel cancer screening result, suspected malignancy, or rapidly changing symptoms — are prioritised and seen more promptly. Contact the rooms on (02) 7906 8312 to check current availability and advise on the urgency of your referral.
Do I need a new referral for each appointment with Dr Kaushal?
No. A standard GP referral is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and covers all related consultations with Dr Kaushal during that period — including pre-operative appointments, operative consent consultations, and post-operative follow-up visits. An indefinite referral covers the entire course of treatment without a 12-month limit. A new referral is only needed after the existing one expires or if you are attending for an unrelated new condition.
I had surgery several years ago with Dr Kaushal — do I need a new referral for follow-up?
If your existing referral has expired (more than 12 months old) or was not written as indefinite, a new GP referral is required to claim a Medicare rebate for ongoing follow-up. Contact your GP for a new referral, or contact the rooms — the team can advise whether your existing referral covers the upcoming appointment.
I have been waiting a long time for a public hospital surgical appointment — can I see Dr Kaushal privately instead?
Yes. Patients on a public hospital surgical waiting list can also choose to be seen privately by Dr Kaushal with a GP referral. Dr Kaushal holds appointments at both Campbelltown Public Hospital (public) and Campbelltown Private Hospital and Sydney Southwest Private Hospital Liverpool (private). Attending privately typically results in a shorter wait for both consultation and surgery. Contact the rooms to discuss current availability and fees.
Book a Surgical Consultation in Campbelltown
If you have a GP referral and would like to see Dr Kaushal — or if you have questions about the referral process — contact the rooms at 4 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown. The team can advise on current appointment availability, fees, what to bring, and urgency triage for your referral.
Specialist General Surgeon | Upper GI and Bariatric Surgery 4 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown NSW 2560 Phone: (02) 7906 8312 Email: [email protected] | drdeveshkaushal.com.au Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Current hospital appointments and accreditations include: Sydney Southwest Private Hospital Liverpool | Campbelltown Public Hospital | Campbelltown Private Hospital | The George Hospital Medicare rebates and private health insurance benefits may apply depending on the service, referral and individual policy. Please contact the rooms and your insurer regarding fees and potential out-of-pocket costs. |
General information only: This article provides general information about the referral process for specialist surgical consultations. Medicare rules and practice policies may change. Contact the rooms and Services Australia for the most current information regarding rebates, referral validity and fees. Read about more What Does a General Surgeon Do? When Do You Need a Referral in Campbelltown? |