Follow-up

What happens about my follow-up?

Follow up clinics at the Breast Centre are held either in the morning or afternoon depending upon which specialist you are seeing. An appointment will be made for you by the receptionist before you leave, based on the information from the specialist.

Because of the large number of patients visiting the Breast Centre there is no guarantee your specialist will see you at very follow-up visit. Specialists are often required to see patients who are developing new problems and this may mean they don't see patients who are fit and well. The Breast Centre operates within the public hospital system and all patients are bulk-billed. The only way to guarantee that you will see a particular specialist is to make an appointment at the specialist’s private rooms. However, your case will always be discussed with the specialist if there is a particular area of concern.

What do I need to bring to the follow-up clinic?

A mammogram is generally required every 12 months and you should bring the X-ray films to your follow-up visit if they were outside the hospital. Films performed in the hospital will be kept at the hospital and will be available with the doctors in the clinic when you arrive.

A new referral will be required every 12 months from your GP or every three months if it is provided by a specialist. The referral should be made out in the name of the specialist that you are booked to see. You can ask your GP for an indefinite referral, which will never need renewing.