We recommend that adults and children over 12 wear face masks when attending our clinic, but no longer provide masks to patients and carers. Videoconsultations are conducted via telehealth at our dedicated virtual clinic. We are experiencing high demand for appointments hence require that all patients provide a referral prior to booking an appointment so that we can identify and manage urgent and emergency conditions in a timely manner, and so that our surgeons can assess your suitability for a telehealth appointment and identify any further information or tests that might be required before your consultation. If our surgeons assess that your condition (especially recent injuries) is best managed with hand therapy rather than surgery we may recommend that you see a qualified hand therapist (physiotherapist or occupational therapist) rather than schedule an appointment with our surgeons. Dr Tomlinson will cease to offer consultations and surgical services where a Medicare Rebatable Item Code does not apply from 1 July 2023. This includes injections for palmar hyperhidrosis. If you are eligible to get vaccinated and/or boosted, please do. so.

Patient care philosophy

Created 11 January 2012, last modified 05 January 2013

two hands clasping hand I became a doctor to help people. I believe that people have the right to be heard, the right to choose, and the right to participate in decisions about their health and wellbeing.

Hands are very important to function. I understand that it is not easy to live with pain, to live with a hand that has to be immobilised in a splint or cast, to be unable to perform basic daily tasks or for you or your family to have to take time off work (or study) for medical appointments and treatment. I understand that it is important for your hands to be able to do what you need them to do.

happyfamilyoutstretchedarms I believe that a surgeon’s role includes that of educating patients, so that they can be informed about their condition and able to play an active role in their treatment and recovery. I believe that a surgeon should communicate with her patients in plain language, and that no matter how technical something is a surgeon should be able to explain it in language that can be understood by an interested person. I believe that patients who do not speak English as a first language have a right to thorough explanations that are provided in a language or manner that they can understand.

many hands thumbs up I believe that a surgeon's role is to treat every patient with the same care and attention to detail that she would take with her own family members or friends. I believe that a smile goes a long way. I believe that not everything is perfect or can be made perfect, but that we should always strive to find ways to improve.

Tweets by @MelbHandSurg

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