Urgent Appointments

When to Seek an Urgent Appointment

You should consider requesting an urgent appointment if you are experiencing:

• Acute knee injury from a sporting, recreational, or workplace accident
• Sudden worsening of an existing knee condition with significant pain or loss of function
• Knee instability or locking that prevents normal movement
• Suspected ligament injury (such as ACL or PCL tear)
• Patellar dislocation or recurrent kneecap instability
• Post-traumatic swelling or inability to bear weight

If you have been advised by your GP or Emergency Department that you need urgent orthopaedic assessment, or if you have a painful knee condition that is suddenly worse and affecting your ability to work or carry out daily activities, please contact our practice.

How to Request an Urgent Appointment

Contact our rooms directly:

Please call our practice and inform our reception team that you require an urgent assessment. Our staff will work to accommodate you as quickly as possible based on the clinical urgency of your situation.

We see both public and private patients for urgent appointments. Please note that consultation fees may apply.

What to Bring to Your Urgent Appointment

To ensure we can assess and treat you efficiently, please bring:

• Referral letter from your GP, Emergency Department doctor, or another specialist (required for Medicare rebate)
• Any imaging you have already had done (X-rays, MRI, CT scans)
• Emergency Department discharge papers if you have recently attended ED
• Medicare card and private health insurance details
• List of current medications and any allergies
• Workers' compensation details if the injury is work-related

Urgent Imaging and Diagnostic Tests

If you have not yet had imaging performed, Dr. Negus can arrange urgent X-rays, MRI scans, or other diagnostic tests to help accurately diagnose your condition and determine the most appropriate treatment pathway.

In many cases, imaging can be organised on the same day or within 24-48 hours to ensure your care is not delayed.

Medicare Rebates and Referrals

To receive the Medicare rebate for your urgent consultation, you will need a referral from:

• Your GP
• An Emergency Department doctor
• Another medical specialist

If you are currently in an Emergency Department and require urgent orthopaedic assessment, the ED team can contact Dr. Negus directly or facilitate a referral for prompt follow-up.

Our Goal: Getting You Back to Function

Whether you're recovering from an acute injury or managing a sudden deterioration in your knee condition, our aim is to assess you promptly, provide an accurate diagnosis, and implement an appropriate treatment plan.

Our focus is on getting you back to work, back to sport, and back to the activities that matter to you—as safely and efficiently as possible.

Emergency Situations

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, such as:

• Severe bleeding
• Open fracture or visible bone
• Loss of circulation to the leg or foot
• Severe pain with loss of sensation

Please attend your nearest Emergency Department immediately or call 000.

For urgent but non-emergency knee conditions, please contact our practice to arrange an urgent consultation with Dr. Negus.

Contact Us

To request an urgent appointment or for any questions about accessing swift care for your knee injury or condition, please contact our practice during business hours.

Our team is here to help ensure you receive the specialist assessment and treatment you need, when you need it.