FAQ’s

A Selection Of Our Frequently Asked Patient Questions

  • WHAT IS A GASTROENTEROLOGIST?

    A gastroenterologist is a physician who specialises in diagnosing and management of diseases of the digestive organs. The digestive organs include the digestive tract – oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines – as well as the liver, pancreas and gallbladder.

    They perform endoscopic procedures to view the gastrointestinal tract and make diagnosis. They do not perform surgeries but they work closely with gastrointestinal surgeons and colorectal surgeons.

  • WHAT ARE THE COMMON CONDITIONS EVALUATED AND MANAGED BY A GASTROENTEROLOGIST?

    The common conditions evaluated by a gastroenterologist are:

    • Abdominal pain
    • Acid Reflux
    • Coeliac disease
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhoea
    • Gallbladder disease
    • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
    • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
    • Liver disease
    • Persistent nausea and vomiting
    • Rectal bleeding
    • Swallowing disorders
    • Unexplained weight loss
  • DO I NEED A REFERRAL?

    Yes. This is partly to ensure that it is appropriate for a gastroenterologist to see you. Medicare also requires patients to have a valid referral when seeing a specialist otherwise no rebate is claimable.

    Referral from a general practitioner lasts for 12 months and referrals from another specialist lasts for 3 months.

  • HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

    To make an appointment, please call the following according to the doctor you request to see:

    Bondi Junction 02 8305 0000

    • Prof Martin Weltman
    • Dr Leah Gellert
    • Dr Simon Benstock

    Randwick 02 9398 0200

    • Dr George Marinos
    • Dr Adrian Sartoretto
    • Prof Ron Pirola
    • Dr Arthur Grillas
    • Dr Jeffrey Engelman

    Newtown 02 9516 2033

    • Dr Arthur Kaffes
    • Dr Payal Saxena

    For any urgent appointments, please request your GP to contact us and we can determine with your GP how quickly we need to expedite the appointment.

  • WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO AN APPOINTMENT?
    • A referral letter from you General Practitioner or other specialist. Medicare requires a patient to have a valid referral when seeing a specialist otherwise a rebate cannot be claimed.
    • Medicare Card, DVA card, Pension Card
    • Private Health Fund details
    • Recent pathology and radiology (CT, MRI, x-ray and ultrasound) results
    • List of all current medications
    • List of known allergies
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