A valid referral is required for every consultation at Dr Hertess Plastic Surgery, regardless of whether your procedure is cosmetic or medically indicated. This is both a regulatory requirement under Australian cosmetic surgery reforms and an important part of ensuring you receive safe, considered care.
This page sets out everything you and your referring practitioner need to know about the referral process, validity periods, and how to send your referral to our practice.
Why a Referral Is Required
Dr Hertess Plastic Surgery requires a valid referral for every consultation. This requirement applies for two reasons:
Regulatory Requirement (Cosmetic Surgery)
Since 1 July 2023, the Medical Board of Australia and AHPRA have required all patients seeking cosmetic surgery to obtain a referral from a GP or another specialist medical practitioner before consulting with the surgeon who will perform the procedure.
The reasons for this regulatory requirement include:
- Ensuring an independent clinician reviews your reasons for seeking surgery
- Providing an early opportunity to discuss alternatives, expectations, and any underlying health concerns
- Screening for any factors that may make surgery inappropriate at this time
- Supporting safer, more considered decision-making before consultation
Practice Policy and Medicare Eligibility
For all other consultations, including skin lesion assessment and reconstructive consultations, a valid referral is also required at Dr Hertess Plastic Surgery. This is our standing practice policy and is also a requirement under Medicare for patients wishing to claim a rebate on their specialist consultation.
A current referral ensures continuity of care between your referring practitioner and Dr Hertess, provides important clinical history, and supports the ongoing management of your condition.
We are unable to proceed with any consultation without a valid referral on file.
Who Can Provide Your Referral
Referrals can be provided by:
- Your usual General Practitioner (GP), preferred wherever possible
- Another General Practitioner, if you do not have a regular GP, any registered GP can provide a referral
- Another specialist medical practitioner, such as a dermatologist, gynaecologist, or other specialist where clinically appropriate
Telehealth GP referrals are accepted at Dr Hertess Plastic Surgery, provided they are issued by a registered Australian medical practitioner.
If you do not currently have a regular GP, you are welcome to attend any local medical centre to request a referral. Telehealth GP services are also widely available across Australia.
Independence of the Referring Practitioner
Under the Medical Board’s cosmetic surgery guidelines, the referring practitioner must work independently of Dr Hertess. In plain terms:
- Your referring practitioner cannot be a member of Dr Hertess Plastic Surgery
- They cannot have a financial relationship with our practice
- They cannot themselves perform cosmetic surgery or non-surgical cosmetic procedures
This independence is designed to ensure that the practitioner referring you is solely focused on your wellbeing and provides an unbiased clinical opinion.
Referral Validity Periods
| Referral Source | Valid For |
|---|---|
| General Practitioner (GP) | 12 months from the date ofissue |
| Specialist medical practitioner | 3 months from the date of issue |
A current, valid referral must be on file at all times during your care with Dr Hertess, including before your initial consultation, between consultations, leading up to surgery, and throughout your ongoing post-operative care and aftercare appointments.
If your referral expires at any point during this period, you will need to obtain an updated referral from your GP or specialist before your next appointment can proceed. Our patient coordination team will let you know when your referral is approaching expiry so you have time to arrange a renewal.
How to Send Your Referral
Referrals can be sent to our practice via the following methods:
Referrals can be emailed to enquiry@drhertess.com.au for either location.
Please indicate in your email whether the patient is being referred to the Gold Coast or Cairns practice.
GP Practice Software
Referrals can be sent through standard GP referral systems including:
- Medical Director
- Medical Objects
- HealthLink (secure messaging)
Hard Copy
Patients are welcome to bring a printed referral letter with them to their consultation. We recommend emailing a copy in advance where possible so that we can prepare for your appointment.
Information for Referring Practitioners
The following details may assist referring GPs and specialists when preparing a referral:
Dr Isolde Hertess BSc. MBBS FRACS (Plast.) Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon AHPRA Registration: MED0001372020
| Location | Provider Number | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | 570082DT | (07) 5601 0492 | enquiry@drhertess.com.au |
| Cairns | 570082GA | (07) 4031 5755 | enquiry@drhertess.com.au |
What to Include in Your Referral
To support efficient triage and consultation, we appreciate referrals that include:
- Patient demographics and contact details
- Clinical reason for referral and presenting concern
- Relevant medical history, current medications, and known allergies
- Previous surgical history, particularly any prior cosmetic or plastic surgery
- Relevant imaging or pathology results, where applicable
- Any psychological or mental health history relevant to the procedure being considered
For cosmetic referrals, please note that the referring practitioner must work independently of Dr Hertess and must not themselves perform cosmetic surgery or non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
What Happens After Your Referral Is Received
Once your referral has been received, our patient coordination team will contact you to arrange your consultation. At the time of booking, you will be advised of:
- Your consultation fee and applicable Medicare rebate (if eligible)
- The date and time of your appointment
- Any documents you should bring with you
- What to expect during the consultation
Don’t Want to Wait? Call Us Directly
If you already have your referral in hand and would like to get moving, you are welcome to call us straight away rather than waiting for us to contact you. Our patient coordination team can take your referral details over the phone and book your consultation on the spot.
Call us on (07) 5601 0492 to book your consultation.
For more information about consultation fees and the broader pricing structure, please see our Pricing page.
Need Help?
If you are unsure about any aspect of the referral process, our patient coordination team is happy to assist. Please contact us using the details below.
Gold Coast (07) 5601 0492 enquiry@drhertess.com.au Ground Floor, 220 Ashmore Road, Benowa QLD 4217
Cairns (07) 4031 5755 enquiry@drhertess.com.au Level 1, Suite 12A, 193–197 Lake Street, Cairns QLD 4870
