I'm in the central west — can post-operative reviews be done by telehealth?

Yes, where the rehabilitation protocol allows. Patients from Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Winton and the wider central west typically have one in-person review at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton — usually the first post-operative review where wound or sutures inspection is needed — and subsequent reviews coordinated by telehealth, with active rehabilitation run by a local provider. Dr Hirpara writes to the local physiotherapist with the post-operative protocol so rehabilitation continues without interruption.

Can my GP arrange imaging in Longreach before the trip to Rockhampton?

Yes. Where imaging is needed before the consult, the practice will request it through the patient's GP and the local imaging provider, and review the films and report electronically before the patient arrives. This means the consultation can be planned around what is already on the table — the trip to Rockhampton becomes a discussion of findings and surgical planning rather than imaging triage.

Patients from Longreach

Hand & shoulder surgeon
for Longreach

Specialist upper limb care for Longreach and the central west — Longreach and the central west sit roughly seven hours west of Rockhampton along the Capricorn and Landsborough Highways.

Drive time about 7 hours west · Distance approximately 700 km

Why patients travel

From Longreach to the rooms

Patients from the central west — Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall and the wider grazing country — have always travelled long distances for specialist care. The practice's approach for these patients is to consolidate as much as possible into the smallest number of trips: imaging, consultation, surgical booking and pre-admission paperwork on a single visit where it can be arranged.

Patients from Longreach are commonly seen for rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement, carpal tunnel surgery, trigger finger release, Dupuytren's surgery, thumb joint replacement and the full range of shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand surgery. Fee structure, Medicare rebates and the surgery-quote process are on the fees page.

Not sure what's wrong?

Start with the symptom

If you haven't had a diagnosis yet, our symptom guides help narrow down what's causing the problem before your appointment.

Catchment

Towns and suburbs we see patients from

Referrals reach the practice from across the Longreach and the central west region. Specifically:

Longreach
Barcaldine
Blackall
Tambo
Aramac
Ilfracombe
Stonehenge
Winton
Muttaburra
Yaraka

If you are elsewhere in the region — please ring the practice; the catchment is not strictly defined.

The trip

Getting to The Range

By road, the Capricorn and Landsborough Highways are the direct route — about seven hours from Longreach with stops; from Winton or Muttaburra the trip is closer to nine. There's no direct flight between Longreach and Rockhampton, so most patients drive; the practice will work around the trip.

On-site parking is available at the Mater, with a closer carpark via I-MED Radiology on Spencer Street. Full directions and a map are on the visit page.

Get directions in Google Maps

Imaging, therapy & scheduling

Designed around the distance

Imaging Where imaging is needed before a consult, the practice will request it locally and review the films and report electronically before the patient arrives, so the visit can be planned around what's already on the table.
Post-operative therapy Post-operative therapy in the central west is limited; the practice will work with whichever provider is locally available, supplementing with telehealth review.
Scheduling Given the distance, telehealth post-operative review can be arranged for central-west patients where the protocol allows it; the practice tries to combine in-person reviews with other planned trips where possible — for instance, a consult on the same day as imaging.

Common questions

From Longreach — answered

I'm in the central west — can post-operative reviews be done by telehealth?: Yes, where the rehabilitation protocol allows. Patients from Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Winton and the wider central west typically have one in-person review at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton — usually the first post-operative review where wound or sutures inspection is needed — and subsequent reviews coordinated by telehealth, with active rehabilitation run by a local provider. Dr Hirpara writes to the local physiotherapist with the post-operative protocol so rehabilitation continues without interruption.
Can my GP arrange imaging in Longreach before the trip to Rockhampton?: Yes. Where imaging is needed before the consult, the practice will request it through the patient's GP and the local imaging provider, and review the films and report electronically before the patient arrives. This means the consultation can be planned around what is already on the table — the trip to Rockhampton becomes a discussion of findings and surgical planning rather than imaging triage.

Other catchments