International patient service

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For over thirty five years, The Wesley Hospital has been providing acute healthcare services to patients living outside of Australia. The International Patient Service is a department within The Wesley Hospital that specialises in arranging and coordinating clinical care for patients living outside of Australia. The service specialises in medical transfers, whether an emergency or planned, and can put all arrangements in place as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.

 

As a department of The Wesley Hospital, the unit is uniquely positioned to source the most appropriate medical practitioner for your condition and, if required, provide all arrangements at short notice.

Our services include:

• medical treatment requiring emergency or planned transfer to Australia
• coordination and scheduling of medical, diagnostic and other appointments
• ambulance transfer from airport where necessary
• interpreter services
• assistance applying for or extending an Australian entry visa
• transfer to and from the airport (including by ambulance if necessary)
• accommodation arrangement for family and support people
• personal support
• management of financial arrangements. We provide an estimate of costs prior to admission to The Wesley Hospital and make all service provider payments on your behalf, including complete accounting to your insurer or employer
• coordination of evacuation arrangements in conjunction with medical evacuation and insurance organisations.

Where necessary, the unit can assist in coordinating and scheduling a clinical assessment prior to arrival in Australia. This will assist in determining which specialists, consultations and diagnostic tests should be scheduled during a patient's visit. The Wesley Hospital has a number of Patient Coordinators to assist patients from outside Australia to access acute healthcare services. We have experts who can help you with any questions that or needs that you may have.

 

To become an International patient at the Wesley you can:

• Contact your own doctor to contact the International Patient Services department. This is our preferred method where an insurance company will be paying for your treatment. This is because insurance companies require a cost estimate prior to your departure for Australia. The International Patient Services department can arrange this cost estimate but requires a referral and a medical report including any radiology (X-ray, MRI, CT scan, ultrasound) or pathology reports. Your doctor can make this referral via this website.

or

• Directly contact the International Patient Services unit (see contact details below)

Travel and VISA assistance

 

The International Patient Services Unit can assist you to obtain the necessary visas to enter Australia for medical treatment. The hospital will supply you with a Visa acceptance letter addressed to the Australian High Commission in your country to be accompanied with your visa application. The letter will provide assistance in your application for an Australian entry or medical visa.

 

If your episode of care is expected to continue beyond the expiry date or your visa, the Wesley will assist in your application for an extension of your visa.

 

Interpreting Services

 

English is the language by which healthcare is delivered in Australia. Where necessary, the International Patient Services unit can arrange interpreters to ensure your medical treatment proceeds smoothly.

 

In the event a local interpreter cannot be found, the services of TIS National is used. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) provides the TIS National interpreting service for people who do not speak English and for the English speakers who need to communicate with them. TIS National has more than 30 years of experience in the interpreting industry, and has access to over 1300 contracted interpreters across Australia, speaking more than 120 languages and dialects. TIS National is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any person or organisation in Australia requiring interpreting services.

 

TIS National recommends that interpreters should be used:

• to ensure accurate communication between people who have different language needs
• because effective professional practice requires both parties to have a clear understanding of each other,and
• because in times of crisis or stress, a person's second language competency may decrease.

Accommodation

 

There are a number of accommodation options available for you and/or your family during and after your stay at the Wesley. For accommodation details please see Accommodation Services for more information.

 

Contact details

 

Contact the International Patient Services department by email or telephone and ask to speak with a patient coordinator. It will be our pleasure to assist you.

 

Phone:	+61 3232 7837
Fax:	+61 3232 6242
Email:	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.