How do I get an appointment with a specialist?
The first step is to make an appointment with your General Practitioner (GP) to assess your condition and determine whether an appointment with a specialist is needed. If your GP thinks you do require an appointment with one of our specialist clinics, they will send a referral to us.
Please note
In line with Queensland Health facilities, Mater has a geographic catchment area for public referrals, to assist access for patients to timely care. Mater’s catchment area includes patients living south of Brisbane River, including Logan, Redlands & Scenic Rim, and west including Ipswich and Gatton.
Appointment Waiting Times
Your referral will be reviewed by our specialist team based on your GP’s information.
We prioritize patients according to urgency:
Category 1 (Urgent): Seen within 30 days
Category 2 (Priority): Seen within 90 days
Category 3 (Routine): Seen within 365 days
We aim to see all patients within these times, but high demand can affect waiting periods. For more details, check the Mater Hospital Brisbane clinic activity and waitlist data below.
View clinic activity and waitlist data
Notification of wait list
If your referral is accepted, Mater will send you a letter advising that your name has been placed on the waitlist and advise you of the Category that you have been assigned, that is, either Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3. You will be offered an appointment as soon as one is available.
Offer of appointment
We will contact you when an appointment is available.
Our primary communication method is via SMS.
- We may also contact you by letter or phone.
- If you have any restrictions on your phone which may impact ability to receive SMS, we recommend taking these restrictions off.
- It is important that you reply to ALL correspondence.
You may be removed from the waitlist if you:
- decline multiple dates for an appointment
- do not confirm you will attend when you receive a date
- fail to arrive for your appointment
- are unable to be contacted.
If you are removed from the waiting list for any reason you may need another referral from your GP, and your days waiting will start again.
Video Call Services (Telehealth) - is it for me?
Telehealth allows you to connect with your specialist via video call for your appointment without having to come to hospital. Your consultant will decide if video call is a clinically appropriate option for your treatment, but if you are interested you can request this type of appointment and/or your GP can indicate this in your referral.
For a comprehensive overview of Mater's Video call (Telehealth) Services, including contact details should you wish to ask any questions, click the link below.
