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Getting an earlier or emergency appointment
We keep a number of emergency appointment slots free each week, and earlier times open up whenever another patient reschedules. There are two ways to take one: book it yourself, or ask us to add you to our cancellation list.
If you have broken a bone in your hand, there is a faster route again. See below.
If this is a medical emergency
Do not wait for a cancellation. Go to your nearest emergency department, or call 000, if you have:
- a wound that is bleeding heavily or will not stop
- a finger or hand that looks deformed, or a bone that has come through the skin
- a finger or hand that is pale, cold, blue, or completely numb
- redness, swelling and pain spreading up your hand or arm, particularly with a fever
- a finger that has been amputated or partly amputated
If you are not sure how urgent your problem is, phone us on (03) 9427 9596 during business hours and we will help you work it out.
If you have broken a bone
If your fracture is recent, the fastest route to a surgeon’s opinion is usually not our cancellation list. It is the Melbourne Hand Surgery’s Online Fracture Assessment.
This is a rapid-access telehealth clinic for adults and children aged 10 and over with a new hand or wrist fracture, including fingers, thumbs, metacarpals and carpal bones. Dr Tomlinson reviews your x-rays and gives you a clear opinion, wherever you are in Victoria. You register online, book an appointment, then check in from a phone, tablet or computer.
It is a private clinic and payment is required for your appointment.
What you need before you book
The name of your radiology provider, your name exactly as they recorded it, and your date of birth. Dr Tomlinson cannot give you an opinion until she can see your images.
What you get
A documented diagnosis, referral to a hand therapist near you with splinting directions, a medical certificate, and a follow-up x-ray referral. If surgery is needed, we will talk you through your options.
How earlier appointments come up
Reserved emergency slots
We hold a number of appointments free each week specifically for urgent problems, so there is capacity even when the diary looks full.
Cancellations
Earlier times open up whenever another patient reschedules. Sometimes that happens with only an hour or two of notice.
Book it yourself
Current availability, including our reserved emergency slots, is visible on HotDoc. If a time suits you better than your existing appointment, you can move yourself into it. This is the fastest route and it works at any hour of the day.
Please note: HotDoc only displays the next three months. Appointment types that are fully booked over that period will not appear as available. To book further ahead, contact us by phone or email.
Getting on our cancellation list
Our team keeps a cancellation list and works through it whenever a gap opens up. For the list to work in your favour, we need three things from you.
1. Your scans and reports
Especially if you have an injury or a fracture. Send us copies, or tell us where and when the imaging was done and we will request it.
2. Your completed patient form
This gives us your contact details and history. Without it we cannot assess how urgent your problem is.
3. Your availability, in detail
Tell us exactly how much notice you need and which days you can come. Vague availability is hard to match.
Be specific about your availability
The more precise you are, the more likely we are to find you something. For example:
- “I can come any day with 90 minutes’ notice”
- “I need two days’ notice”
- “I’m only free on Mondays and Thursdays”
We have filled appointments with an hour’s notice. We can only do that for patients who have told us it would suit them.
How we decide who is seen first
We prioritise patients with emergency or urgent conditions. Dr Tomlinson personally reviews the referral from your doctor, any imaging you have sent us, and your patient form in order to assess how urgent your problem is.
This is the practical reason we ask for those things early. Without them there is nothing for her to assess, and you cannot be prioritised on a list you are effectively invisible on. There is more on this in how to make the most of your appointment.
