PATIENT INFO
Who do I call for all appointments?
What should I bring to my first appointment?
- Your Medicare card and other cards if applicable (e.g. private insurance fund card, Veterans Affairs Card and Concession Card.
- A current referral from your doctor or health specialist
- Previous X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans. Please bring the actual scans not just the report.
- A list of your medications (including natural preparations such as fish oil and turmeric and blood thinning agents e.g. warfarin, Plavix, aspirin, asasantin)
- Notification of any allergies
- Worker’s Compensation insurer and claim details, and claim officer details
- If you are a new patient and wish to save time please fill in THIS FORM before your consultation
How long does it take to get an appointment with Dr Russell?
Where do I park?
Victoria Neurosurgery Rooms South Yarra – Limited undercover patient parking is available in the building with entrance via McKillop Street. Look for carparks reserved for Victoria Neurosurgery. On street parking available on Hobson and Howitt Streets.
Epworth Private – The car park is open every day from 6.00am to 10.45pm. The entrance to the car park is on Bridge Road. As there are limited spaces at times the car park becomes full. Parking is also available in adjacent streets but please take note of council restrictions.
Parking rates
| Short Term Ticket | Rate |
| 0 – 30 mins | $9.00 |
| 30 mins – 1 hr | $13.00 |
| 1 hr – 1.5 hrs | $18.00 |
| 1.5 hrs – 2 hrs | $23.00 |
| 2 hrs – 2.5 hrs | $28.00 |
| 2.5 hrs – 3 hrs | $33.00 |
| 3 hrs – 3.5 hrs | $40.00 |
| 3.5 hrs – 4 hrs | $50.00 |
| 4 hrs – 6 hrs | $60.00 |
Cabrini Private – The visitor’s carpark at Cabrini Hospital Malvern is accessed via Coonil Crescent (off Wattletree Road).
A parking fee applies.
• After discharge patients may be collected at the hospital’s main entrance.
• Specially marked disabled carparking is available in our patient and visitor carpark, as well as our staff carpark
• Three-minute drop off carparks are available directly outside the main entrance of the hospital
Austin – The public car park for the Austin Hospital is in the Austin Tower and is accessible via three entrances: Studley Rd, Burgundy St and the main entry forecourt accessible via the corner of Studley Rd and the Bell-Banksia Link.
Parking in the Austin Tower is:
• Free for the first 30 minutes
• $8.00 for 30 to 60 minutes
• $13.00 for between one and two hours
• $15.00 for between two and three hours
• $18.00 for between three and four hours
• $20.00 for between four and five hours
• $22.00 for between five and eight hours
• $30.00 after eight hours (maximum per day)
- Concession rates may apply for some categories of patients and visitors. Veterans with White and Gold DVA cards are eligible for free parking. The car park runs on an automated system. Remember to take the ticket with you, as you will need to pay at one of the pay stations prior to exiting. Pay Station locations are marked on the parking tickets. No validation is available at point of exit.
- There are two sets of lifts in the basement car park to access the Austin Hospital. Change lifts at Level 1 Main Foyer to access all of the wards in the Tower.
- Disabled car parking is available on level B3 of the Austin Tower, accessible via Studley Road.
- Please note that local council parking restrictions apply to the streets around both the Austin Hospital and Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Both facilities are patrolled regularly by council officers.
- There is motorcycle parking available at ref I3 of the Austin Hospital map.
What are your payment terms?
Patients will be required to settle the full consult fee at the end of each appointment.
We will process your medicare rebate on the spot and the remittance will be sent straight to your bank account.
If you cancel or reschedule your consultation less than 48 hours prior to your consultation, we reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee equal to the value of your consultation fee.
In addition, if you do not arrive for your consultation, we reserve the right to charge you a ‘no-show’ fee equal to the value of your consultation fee.
Workcover, TAC and DVA patients will be billed directly to their insurance provider.
How much is the consultation and follow up and what are acceptable means of payment?
Initial consultation (30 min) with Dr Russell is $380, with a Medicare rebate for $118
Initial consultation (45 min) with Dr Russell is $490, with a Medicare rebate for $118
Review consultation (15 min) with Dr Russell is $200, with a Medicare rebate for $78
Review consultation (30 min) with Dr Russell is $380, with a Medicare rebate for $108
Please note that Medicare rebate amounts change on an annual basis, typically increasing by $2-3 each year, please confirm with reception the current rebate.
Patients can pay by bank check, cash, credit card or EFTPOS. An AMEX surcharge of 2% applies.
When will I be seen for a post-op consult?
How long will I be in hospital for?
This is highly variable but in general
(Most) cranial surgery 3–5 days
Microdiscectomy / ACDF 1-2 days
Laminectomy 2-5 days
How long should the wound remain covered after surgery?
Cranial wounds are closed using staples. Leave dressing intact until GP review in 7 – 10 days for removal of staples and wound review.