Specialty - General Surgery
Overview
General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal organs – (ie intestines, including esophagus, the stomach, the small bowel, colon, liver pancreas and gallbladder and bile ducts, as well as thyroid, skin, breast and hernias. General Surgeons perform such procedures as laparoscopic surgery, colorectal surgery and breast surgery.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery is called minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions usually approx. 0.5 – 1.5 cm. Some advantages to the patient include reduced pain due to smaller incisions and shorter recovery times.
Colorectal Surgery
This field of medicine deals with the disorders of the rectum, anus and colon. General Surgeons treat a wide variety of minor colon and rectal diseases ranging from inflammatory bowel diseases (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) to diverticulitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhoids, etc.
Breast Surgery
General surgeons perform the majority of non-cosmetic breast surgery from lumpectomy to mastectomy, especially pertaining to the evaluation and diagnosis, of breast cancer.
Patient Expectations
If your problem is not acute, your GP/Referrer will request an appointment in the outpatient clinic if they are concerned about your condition and feel that you require a specialist opinion. One of our Specialists will review the referral letter and assign a priority based on the information provided.
Very urgent cases are usually seen within a few weeks, but other cases may have to wait a longer time. However each month we receive more referrals than can be actually seen. Information regarding the waiting times can be obtained by selecting the link under “Waiting Times” below.
The specialist may organise an investigation/tests rather than arranging a clinic appointment so that further information can be obtained about your condition. This may result in either an appointment or a letter to your GP/Referrer with recommendations regarding your condition.
Consultants
Tauranga
| Mr Philip Thwaite |
Mrs Janet Ansell |
Mr Peter Chin |
Mr M Alwan |
| Mr Mark Morgan |
Mr Avi Kumar |
Mr Jeremy Rossaak |
Whakatane
| Mr Desmond Collins |
Mr Jagdish Prasad |
Mr Haydar Alwash |
Referral / First Specialist Assessment
A threshold for FSA referral acceptance has been set to assist with MOH waiting
time compliance.
-
The National Access Criteria for First Assessment (ACA) are available to view:
General Surgery ACA
Treatment List
A threshold for Treatment List acceptance has been set to assist with MOH
waiting time compliance. Please refer to the General Surgery waiting times link for
further information.
Waiting Times
Contact Details
Postal: Referral Receipt Centre, BOPDHB, Private Bag 12024, Tauranga 3142
Fax: 07 578 9571
Phone: 0800 333 477