Elective surgery information
An elective surgery or procedure is planned and can be booked in advance. Your specialist prioritises your surgery based on your health condition and symptoms. The urgency categories are:
Urgent (Category 1): Surgery within 30 days
Semi-urgent (Category 2): Surgery within 90 days
Non-urgent (Category 3): Surgery within 365 days
Once added to the wait list, you’ll receive a letter with your urgency category and the date you were added. This is separate to your previous outpatient wait times.
Important Information:
Patients without an Australian Medicare Card may be charged a fee.
Your surgery might be offered at another Mater facility if appropriate.
Any member of your specialty medical team may perform your surgery.
You may be removed from the wait list if you decline multiple dates, fail to confirm attendance, or cannot be contacted. If removed, you may need a new referral, and your waiting days will reset.
Waiting for my surgery or procedure
The hospital will contact you to confirm the date of your surgery or procedure. If you are in category 2 or 3, this is approximately 4 weeks prior to your proposed date.
You will receive a letter detailing:
The time and date of your surgery or procedure
Where to go when you arrive
Special instructions for you to follow, such as asking you to not eat or drink (fasting) before your admission
Items you are required to bring with you to hospital such as x-rays, and
Contact information should you have any questions regarding your admission
You should follow the pre-surgery instructions given to you by your specialist and attend the hospital to have the surgery performed.
What if my health changes while waiting for my surgery or procedure?
- If your condition changes, or you have any health problems while waiting for your appointment, it is important you see your GP
If your GP agrees your medical condition has changed, they will write to the hospital and ask them to review your urgency category
Cancellation or delay of surgery or procedure
If you need to cancel or defer your surgery at any stage, please contact the Booking Office as soon as possible.
Pre Admission
You may be asked to attend the pre-admission clinic about 1–2 weeks before going into hospital. Staff at the clinic will do a thorough health assessment and provide information about your treatment. Some tests, such as blood tests, may be undertaken.
Contacting the booking office
What to expect
Day or overnight procedure?
- Day surgery is when someone comes to the hospital (either in the morning or afternoon) for a surgical procedure and leaves the same day.
- Inpatient surgery (overnight procedure) is when someone stays in the hospital overnight after their surgery.
Sometimes people who are staying overnight will be admitted to the hospital the day before their surgery. In most cases people who are staying overnight will be admitted the day of their surgery.
Your letter from the hospital will tell you the date and time of your admission, all the pre-surgery instructions to be followed (including when to fast from), and where to go when you arrive at the hospital. It may be a ward, an admission clinic or the day procedure unit. If you are unsure where to go when you arrive, ask at the main reception or information desk which is located in the hospital's main foyer.
- Your medical history
- Details of any medicines you are taking
- Current address and phone number
- Details of your GP or other treating health professionals
- Your Medicare number
- Details of your private health cover or any other cover that might fund your hospital stay
- Any current advance health directive or enduring power of attorney, and copies of these documents
- Details of any workers' compensation claim
Your need for an interpreter or cultural support worker
When you are admitted, a bracelet identification band will be put on your wrist or ankle. A red identification band may also be used if you have known allergies. Please check the details on it are accurate and wear it while you are in hospital.
If you have any questions or are unsure of any information you are given, ask the hospital staff.
