APPOINTMENTS
Patient Information
Navigating specialist care involves several practical steps, from your initial GP referral to your first consultation. This guide provides the essential information needed to support your journey with Dr David Kitchen at sportsmed.
The First Step: Referral Process
A referral from your GP is the first step in accessing specialist orthopaedic care. This document provides Dr David Kitchen with your clinical history and is required to claim Medicare rebates for your consultation.
How to Send Your Referral
Your GP can send the referral directly to our clinic via secure electronic messaging or through our Online Referral Form. If you have received a physical copy, you may need to forward this through to Contact Us when arranging your booking.
Urgent Reviews
If your GP indicates that your condition requires an urgent assessment due to severe pain or injury, we prioritise your referral to provide a timely consultation.
What Happens Next
Once we receive your referral, our team reviews the information. We will contact you promptly to discuss a suitable time and location for your appointment at either Stepney Healthcare Hub or Henley Beach.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
During your first visit, Dr David Kitchen will conduct a thorough clinical examination and review your imaging to discuss your symptoms. The assessment itself will mainly focus on understanding how your hip or knee pain affects your daily movement, quality of life and lifestyle. There will also be a discussion where Dr David Kitchen will outline both non-surgical and surgical options, providing you with the information to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. If surgery is recommended, a plan will be created and our team will provide a detailed pathway, including scheduling and hospital location options.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
To support a comprehensive assessment, please bring the following items to your initial consultation:
Imaging
Please bring any recent X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans. Even if your imaging is available online, having the physical reports or discs can be really helpful.
Medical History
A list of your current medications and any history of previous surgeries or medical conditions.
Administrative Details
Your Medicare card and Private Health Insurance membership details.
Fees & Health Insurance
Transparency regarding cost is a standard for our practice. While Dr David Kitchen works with major private health funds, there may be out-of-pocket expenses depending on your level of cover and the complexity of the procedure.
For a more detailed breakdown of our billing policy, including information on surgical gaps and anaesthetic fees, please visit our Fee Information page.
Preparing for Your Procedure
Once a surgical date is confirmed, several steps are taken to prepare you for the hospital environment. This includes pre-operative health checks and physical preparation.
Detailed guidelines on fasting, medication adjustments, and what to pack for the hospital can be found on our Preparing for Surgery page.
Post-Operative Care
Recovery is a collaborative process between Dr David Kitchen, your physiotherapist, and you. Following the specific movement guidelines provided after your surgery is vital for a better transition back to daily activities.
To view our recovery timeline guide, please visit the specific procedure page or for a more general guide, visit our Post Surgery Recovery page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take the next step
Clinical expertise and personalised care in Adelaide.
Consulting at sportsmed Stepney & Henley Beach · A GP referral is required.