For Patients

In an emergency, call 000. If you have had a serious injury, a broken bone, a hot swollen joint, sudden severe back pain with numbness or trouble passing urine, go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for a clinic appointment.

The Orthopaedic Unit at Western Health treats problems with bones, joints and muscles.
We see adults in outpatients at Footscray and children at Joan Kirner.
Operations are performed at Williamstown, Footscray and Joan Kirner.

Getting an appointment

You need a referral from your GP or another doctor. You cannot book an orthopaedic appointment yourself.

Once we receive your referral, a doctor or nurse reads it and decides how urgently you need to be seen. You will receive a confirmation letter that you are on the waiting list to see a surgeon in outpatients.

When your appointment time arrives, you will receive a text message of your appointment details, or a letter if we do not have your mobile number.

Preparing for your appointment

Please bring:

  • Your SMS confirmation or Appointment Letter
  • Medicare card
  • Any X-rays, CT or MRI scans, and their reports – bring the images, not just the report

Allow extra time. Clinics can run late, and you may need an X-ray on the day.

If you need an interpreter

You have the right to an interpreter, free of charge, at every appointment. Please tell us before your appointment so we can book one. Call the Western Health Outpatient Enquiries on (03) 8345 6490

Family members should not be used as interpreters for medical discussions. It is important that you hear the information directly and accurately.

Understanding your condition

Western Health provides OrthoAnswer, a free plain-language website explaining orthopaedic conditions, surgery and recovery. It is written for patients and families and is a better starting point than a general internet search.

The information on OrthoAnswer is general. Your own treatment will be decided with your surgeon, based on your circumstances.

If you are having surgery

Your surgeon will explain what the operation involves, what the risks are, and what recovery looks like, before you agree to it. Ask questions. It is reasonable to ask how many of these operations the team does, what happens if you do nothing, and what the alternatives are.

Changing or cancelling an appointment

Call the Western Health Outpatient Enquiries on (03) 8345 6490

Feedback and concerns

If something has gone wrong, or you want to give feedback, Western Health has a formal process and you can use it without affecting your care.

Compliments, suggestions and complaints all go to the Western Health Best Care Feedback Team.

If your concern is about someone who is in hospital now, you can also speak to the unit manager or the nurse in charge of the ward.

Western Health aims to acknowledge your feedback within 3 business days and to resolve a complaint within 30 business days. It helps to say clearly what happened, who was involved and when, what you would like done about it, and how you would prefer to be contacted.

An interpreter can be arranged if you would rather give your feedback in your own language.

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