FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
- Prior to your appointment, we would have contacted you to obtain:
- Referral letter from GP, family physician or other doctor (this is not essential as Dr. Michael Chu is happy to see self-referrers)
- Private Medical Insurance details
- Copies of results, x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other relevant information.
Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff are bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment. We will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent. Please let the surgeon and staff know if you do not wish copies of any correspondence to be sent to a particular individual.
No, you do not require a referral. Still, ensuring that the specialist you are seeing is appropriate for you and your condition is often helpful.
Before seeing any medical specialist, it is always preferable to talk to your own general practitioner (GP), who can discuss your condition with you and advise on whether any specialist care is appropriate. If it is, he or she can help you to choose the specialist best suited to your needs. Your GP can help the specialist to care for you better by providing relevant information about your health. Communicating with the specialist will also enable your GP to care for you better during and after your specialist treatment.
During your initial visit, the surgeon will ask questions and may do a physical examination. Any previous medical conditions, procedures or investigations will be discussed. The surgeon will explain any specific tests or procedures you require. Once you have completed the investigations, he will discuss the various treatment options and help you make an informed choice. Sometimes, there is more than one treatment option, and it is important that you obtain all the information that you require to make the best decision for you.
Yes, you are welcome to bring a support person or people with you. You are also welcome to bring your children to your appointment. However, we ask that you have someone with you who can assist should the child/children require supervision or become a distraction.
If you and Dr. Michael Chu have come to an agreement that surgery would be beneficial for you, there are still a few steps to be completed before the day of surgery. For more information, please go to "Preparing for Surgery".
If you live outside of Auckland, it is recommended that you stay a few days in Auckland after your discharge from the hospital. This allows you to assess how you feel being out of hospital to make sure that you will be able to cope at home when you return home.
For a list of accommodations, please go to "Where can I stay?".