Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to help you find answers to your questions about orthopaedic care and services. Our team combines medical expertise with genuine concern for your well-being, ensuring you have all the information you need at your fingertips. Browse through our FAQs for insights on managing your health with confidence, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, we’re just a call or message away.
Discharge Information
Appointment Information
Find key details on appointments, parking, and FAQs at our Orthopedic Center. For further assistance, please contact us.
Do you have parking available ?
There are free 15 min and 60 min car parks directly outside our premises. We do not have any other parking facilities.
Can anyone come to Rotorua Orthopaedics ?
Rotorua Orthopeadics accept ACC and private patients.
What happens in my first appointment ?
The surgeon will be observing your general capability to move, around in certain positions such as walking, sitting, standing, bending forward and backward, etc. These tests are used to exclude or confirm likely diagnosis. Your surgeon will also perform a physical examination of the body part. Your surgeon will also assess the need for further diagnostic tests.
Who can refer me ?
Your GP, Physiotherapist, Pain specialist, Osteopath, Primary care physician, other Specialists or other medical physician can refer you.
What must I bring to my appointment ?
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Bring your insurance card or details is important to bring with you. Your insurance card or other health coverage information. Please do check with your insurance provider if you have any questions about your plan or coverage.
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A List of all your current medications (both over the counter and prescription). It is important to include doses and how often you take them.
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Any X-rays or MRIs that have been taken (not older than six months) for this condition only that we may not have access to (especially if done in a different region or country).
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Your glasses and hearing aids if you need/ use them.
How do I get a Medical Certificate ?
During your appointment with your surgeon, please request a medical certificate if you need one. We can issue private medical certificates as well as ACC medical certificates.
How do I make an appointment ?
You need a referral from a GP, Physio or other medical physician. Once we received your referral we will make your appointment and text through the details.
Is Spa City Rheumatology at your premises ?
Yes, Spa City Rheumatology Dr John Petrie, holds his clinics at Rotorua Orthopaedics, routinely on a Tuesday.
Do I have to come for Imaging results in person ?
Yes, our surgeons prefer to have you come back for a follow up appointment for your imaging results, this gives them an opportunity to discuss the findings with you and show you things on your imagery that are important and assist you to understand those results.
Will I be having my surgery at my appointment ?
No, surgery will need to be booked and will be performed at Southern Cross Hospital. Should you require surgery, your surgeon will go through the consenting process with you and you will need to fill in your pre-admission forms. We have a small desk available to make this process more comfortable, and our reception team are available to assist you with questions you may have.
How long is an appointment ?
A standard consultation is 15 min long
Why do you ask for my date of birth ?
When you call in we may ask for your date of birth to find your file and ensure we are protecting your privacy and speaking with the correct patient.
Do I have to have a referral or can I self refer?
You cannot self refer, you will need a referral from your GP, Physiotherapist, Pain specialist, Osteopath or other medical physician. The reasons behind this is to obtain accurate medical history, ACC and most medical insurances will need us to have a referral in order to cover the costs of your appointment.
Where are you situated ?
Our rooms are situated at 1203 Haupapa Street, next to TRG imaging and Watchdog Security. Our contact us page has a link to the map which you can use to find us. Our business is also listed on google maps under “Rotorua Orthopaedics”
Can you see my imaging from other places ?
We can access imaging within the Bay of Plenty/ Midlands region, if you are unsure please feel free to contact our rooms to check.
Do you have ACC Travel forms ?
We do have ACC Travel forms at reception, you are welcome to ask for one when you report to reception for your appointment. You can also find a link to the travel form on this site under the ACC page.
Do you have clinics in other towns ?
One of our surgeons Arpad Konyves , does hold a Taupō Clinic.
Do you have clinics in other towns ?
One of our surgeons Arpad Konyves , does hold a Taupō Clinic.
Can I come to an appointment on my child's behalf ?
No, the patient needs to be present at the appointment.
How do I get repeat scripts ?
Your specialist may give you a script for medication, in most instances this is not a repeat script and we would request you to visit your primary care physician, (GP) to manage any ongoing medication requirements.
I saw the specialist in public why can't I see him in your rooms ?
The public hospitals records and our private rooms records are completely separate, in order for our surgeon to see you in his private rooms, a referral will be required, and we will need to request your notes from the public hospital.
Surgery Information
Explore essential surgery details, Contact us for more information.
Why can't I have my surgery tomorrow ?
We are not an acute clinic and do not do acute surgeries through this clinic. Surgeries are performed at Southern Cross Hospital and a booking procedure needs to be followed.
I am on ACC, how long will it take to hear if my surgery has been approved ?
We will process your application for surgery and submit it through. Depending on ACC’s waitlist a decision could take anything from 2-6 weeks. On occasion you will receive a letter stating that ACC will need more information and therefore time to assess your application. In most instances they will request notes from your GP, other caring physicians and medical imaging companies.
When will I know what time my surgery is ?
Southern Cross Hospital schedule all the surgeries and will generally advise patients of these details on the Wednesday or Thursday prior to your surgery. However should you have any questions feel free to contact Southern Cross Hospital
What happens after I've booked my surgery ?
After you have agreed on a mutually appropriate date for your surgery, our rooms will send your pre-admission forms (PAF’s) and a booking form to Southern Cross Hospital, Rotorua. The hospital will process the form and the pre-admission clinic will be in touch with you, to either go through some pre-admission questions or to schedule an appointment for you to see the anesthetist.
I can't come in to fill in a pre-admission form what else can I do ?
Get in touch with our rooms to discuss your options. You can also access the PAF form on the Southern Cross Hospital website. Please do advise us if you have filled in and submitted your forms in this way.
I received a letter from ACC to say they need information, what must I do ?
If you have received a letter stating that ACC will need more information and therefore time to assess your application you do not need to do anything. ACC will request notes from your GP, other caring physicians and medical imaging companies that they require. We will submit all supporting notes that we have on file to ACC with your application for surgery. You are free to contact ACC at any time to discuss your application with the elective surgery assessment teams.
Tips & Advice
Gain quick tips for your orthopedic health. For detailed guidance, reach out to us.
We are not an acute clinic
Please remember we are not an acute clinic, if you have a medical emergency please dial 111 or go to your nearest emergency department.
What to wear to your appointment
Please consider how your clothing choice will impact when your surgeon does your examination. For knee, hip and spine problems it will easier if you are wearing (or bring) shorts to your appointment. For shoulder or elbow problems, please wear a singlet or a top/shirt that has buttons.
Come to your appointment prepared
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Come to your appointment on time, this helps us do our best to stay on time.
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Come with a list of questions and concerns you would like to address with your surgeon.
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If your treatment option is surgery, you will need to fill out some forms, it is helpful if you bring a list of your medications and your medical history (previous surgeries) to make this process easier. Knowing your weight and height is also beneficial. If you wear reading glasses, please bring those in with you as well.
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Make sure you can see and hear, if you rely on glasses or hearing aids – do bring those with.
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You are welcome to bring a support person, sometimes two ears are better than one.
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If you are using medical health insurance, please bring those details with you as well.
Southern Cross Hospital has a drop in pre-admission clinic
Did you know that Southern Cross Hospital has a drop in pre-admission clinic? The friendly pre-admission team are there to help you with any of your pre-admission concerns or questions.
Billing & Insurance
Please ensure that you are aware of the costs involved for your consultation if you are seeing one of our surgeons as a private patient. You can pay for your consultation at the end of your appointment. Please make sure that you visit our reception team before leaving. We do have EFTpos facilities, however some of our consultants do not have credit card facilities. Please check in advance if you are wanting to pay by credit card.
Please be aware if your ACC claim has been declined, you will be liable for your appointment.
Southern Cross Health Insurance
Our surgeons are affiliated with Southern Cross Health Insurance. What this means for you:
We can apply for cover of your consultations through the portal on your behalf. Depending on your policy and cover there may be a shortfall, or you may need to pay for your consultation and claim it back from Southern Cross Health Insurance. It is important to check with Southern Cross Health Insurance if you are unsure what your policy covers or how your policy works.
We can apply for prior approval on affiliated surgical procedures on your behalf. These procedures are Total Hip Replacements, Total Knee Replacements, and Carpal Tunnel Release procedures.
We cannot apply for non affiliated surgical procedures, nor submit invoices for those procedures on your behalf. We will issue you with an estimate of cost and the supporting documents that you will need in order to apply for prior approval. After your surgery we will send you the surgeons fee invoice, you will need to submit this along with the anesthetist’s invoice and the invoice from Southern Cross Hospital on a claim form to Southern Cross Health Insurance.
NIB Health Insurance
You will need to pay for your consultation and claim it back from NIB health insurance through your regular claims process. We will issue you with an invoice and receipt to assist your claim.
We cannot apply for your surgical procedures prior approval, nor submit invoices for those procedures on your behalf. We will issue you with an estimate of cost and the supporting documents that you will need in order to apply for prior approval. After your surgery we will send you the surgeons fee invoice, you will need to submit this along with the anesthetist’s invoice and the invoice from Southern Cross Hospital on a claim form to NIB.
AIA Health Insurance
You will need to pay for your consultation and claim it back from AIA health insurance through your regular claims process. We will issue you with an invoice and receipt to assist your claim.
We cannot apply for your surgical procedures prior approval, nor submit invoices for those procedures on your behalf. We will issue you with an estimate of cost and the supporting documents that you will need in order to apply for prior approval. After your surgery we will send you the surgeons fee invoice, you will need to submit this along with the anesthetist’s invoice and the invoice from Southern Cross Hospital on a claim form to AIA Health Insurance.
Partners Life Health Insurance
You will need to pay for your consultation and claim it back from Partners Life health insurance through your regular claims process. We will issue you with an invoice and receipt to assist your claim.
We cannot apply for your surgical procedures prior approval, nor submit invoices for those procedures on your behalf. We will issue you with an estimate of cost and the supporting documents that you will need in order to apply for prior approval. After your surgery we will send you the surgeons fee invoice, you will need to submit this along with the anesthetist’s invoice and the invoice from Southern Cross Hospital on a claim form to Partners Life Health Insurance.