Do I need a GP referral to see Dr Hirpara in Rockhampton?

Yes. A GP referral is required for Medicare to pay any rebate on the consultation fee, and the referral letter gives Dr Hirpara the clinical context for your case. Standard GP referrals are valid for 12 months; specialist-to-specialist referrals are valid for 3 months. Any Rockhampton GP can refer to the practice — bring the letter and any imaging report numbers to your appointment.

What should I bring to my first appointment in Rockhampton?

Your GP referral letter, your Medicare card and any private health fund card, a list of your current medications, and the report numbers (or films) for any X-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans you've already had. Imaging from Rockhampton providers (CQ Radiology, I-MED, Bolsover) is viewable electronically — you don't need to physically carry films across.

Where do I park at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton?

There is on-site parking at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton off Ward Street, The Range, with disability spaces near the main entrance. The closest carpark is the I-MED carpark off Spencer Street, a short walk from the practice rooms. Allow a few minutes extra at busy clinic times.

Patients from Rockhampton

Hand & shoulder surgeon
for Rockhampton

Specialist upper limb care for Rockhampton — The practice is based at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, on Ward Street, The Range.

Drive time 5–15 minutes · Distance in-town

Why patients travel

From Rockhampton to the rooms

Most of the practice's caseload comes from Rockhampton itself. Patients are referred by local GPs and seen in the rooms at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton — the same building where any subsequent surgery is performed, so there's no separate hospital trip on the day of theatre.

Patients from Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton region. Specifically:

The Range
Wandal
Allenstown
Frenchville
Berserker
Park Avenue
Kawana
North Rockhampton
Norman Gardens
Gracemere

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

The trip

Getting to The Range

The practice is on Ward Street, The Range, with on-site parking and a closer carpark off Spencer Street via I-MED Radiology. From most parts of the city the drive is under fifteen minutes; from Gracemere or Parkhurst, allow twenty.

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 X-rays, ultrasound, CT and MRI from the Rockhampton imaging providers (CQ Radiology, I-MED, Bolsover) are viewable electronically — patients don't need to bring films to the consult.
Post-operative therapy Post-operative hand therapy is available on-site at The Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton through Extend Rehabilitation, with shoulder physiotherapy in the same suite. Local physiotherapy clinics around Rockhampton are also used where a patient already has a relationship with one.
Scheduling Local patients can usually be offered the next routine appointment slot; urgent referrals are flagged for same-day triage. Surgery is performed at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton.

Common questions

From Rockhampton — answered

Do I need a GP referral to see Dr Hirpara in Rockhampton?: Yes. A GP referral is required for Medicare to pay any rebate on the consultation fee, and the referral letter gives Dr Hirpara the clinical context for your case. Standard GP referrals are valid for 12 months; specialist-to-specialist referrals are valid for 3 months. Any Rockhampton GP can refer to the practice — bring the letter and any imaging report numbers to your appointment.
What should I bring to my first appointment in Rockhampton?: Your GP referral letter, your Medicare card and any private health fund card, a list of your current medications, and the report numbers (or films) for any X-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans you've already had. Imaging from Rockhampton providers (CQ Radiology, I-MED, Bolsover) is viewable electronically — you don't need to physically carry films across.
Where do I park at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton?: There is on-site parking at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton off Ward Street, The Range, with disability spaces near the main entrance. The closest carpark is the I-MED carpark off Spencer Street, a short walk from the practice rooms. Allow a few minutes extra at busy clinic times.