Getting Started
How We Work Together
Book An Appointment
Email your doctor’s referral to info@sswspecialists.com.au. Your referral will be triaged by Dr. Kamalaraj based on medical urgency.
HOT TIP – The more information you provide with the referral including details from your GP such as medical history, relevant blood test results and scan reports, the more accurate the triage can be.
WorkCover – If your case is under WorkCover – please let our staff know at the time of booking to ensure there is no delay to your assessment.
Learn About Us
All patients should read our practice policies which will be emailed to you ahead of your appointment along with any other important information to ensure a smooth experience for your first appointment.
Our Privacy Policy can be found here.
During Your Appointment
See how we work below.
We suggest bringing a family member or companion to help listen during the appointment. Feel free to bring and take notes. The first appointment tends to be quite overwhelming with information so the above strategies can help you to remember your consultation with Dr. Kamalaraj.
After Your Appointment
Payment is due at the time of your appointment or before if your consultation is via Telehealth. Cash is not accepted.
Please look after any blood test or scan request forms, scripts or any other paperwork provided to you by Dr. Kamalaraj as there may be a fee for replacement.
It’s important to review the information provided to you in your consultation and further information can often be found on the Arthritis Australia website.
How Our Process Works
History
Dr. Kamalaraj will spend some time taking a comprehensive history of your rheumatological problems and goals for management.
Examination
Dr. Kamalaraj will perform a thorough physical examination based on your symptoms.
Investigations
Dr. Kamalaraj will review any relevant investigations you bring and arrange for further testing as appropriate including blood tests and scans.
Diagnosis
Dr. Kamalaraj uses your history, physical examination, and test results to identify the right diagnosis which he will discuss with you at length.
Management
Dr. Kamalaraj will work with you to formulate a personalised management plan to help achieve your treatment goals.
Review
Many rheumatic diseases are chronic medical conditions and need long-term follow-up. You will be periodically monitored by Dr. Kamalaraj to ensure your treatment goals are being achieved and your quality of life is improved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Loose clothing, such as T-shirt/blouse, shorts or skirts. You may be asked to undress to your underwear in order to check parts of your body that hurt or other necessary physical examinations.
–Medicare card, DVA gold card, and any third-party or WorkCover pre-approval paperwork (if applicable).
–Referral letter. You should already have sent this through to book your appointment but it’s good to have a paper backup. We need it before your -appointment. If you can’t send it, ask your doctor’s office to send it for you. This letter helps you get some money back from Medicare.
–List of your medicines or the actual bottles, patches, or inhalers. Even if you don’t take the medicines all the time or if it’s over-the-counter medicine. This helps us build your accurate medication history.
-Any important blood test results, scan reports, and scans. If you don’t have a copy of your blood results or scan – please note down the name of the pathology provider or radiology practice NOT the name of the medical centre or GP practice you attended. This helps Dr. Kamalaraj to chase your results for you.
–Friend or family member. They can help you remember things we talk about during your visit.
–Paper and pen – also to help you remember what we talk about.
We are located at two practices in Gledswood Hills (Suite 20, 13 Digitaria Drive, Gledswood Hills, NSW 2557) and Hurstville (Suite 77, 23-27 MacMahon Street, Hurstville, NSW 2220).
We recommend navigating using Google Maps. For more information on parking please check our contact page.
30-45 minutes depending on the complexity of your medical problem. This includes time taken for Dr. Kamalaraj to complete necessary paperwork associated with your appointment such as a letter to your referring doctor.
Your appointment is very important to you and us. It is vital you check our address accurately and plan sufficient time to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
Whilst we understand emergencies can happen, getting lost or being stuck in traffic is not a valid excuse for arriving late to an appointment and you should expect to be rescheduled to the next available appointment time if this occurs. Dr Kamalaraj is often fully booked so unfortunately there is no flexibility for last minute changes in appointment times.
Please provide at least 48 hours’ notice to allow other patients to take your slot. Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice may result in no further appointments being provided. If you are late by more than five minutes past your appointment time, your appointment will need to be rescheduled. Please call (02) 4607 2526 to discuss any concerns or rescheduling needs.
We’re sorry we can’t give you a precise value on our website. This is because the exact fee for your appointment is determined based on the complexity of your medical issue. However at the time of booking we can quote you the maximum fee for the consultation to give you the best guide for informed financial consent. We don’t like surprises either so it’s very important you ask about our fees at the time of booking.
Additional fees apply for add-on services including: joint or other types of injections, nailfold capillaroscopy and any medical reports. Each consultation routinely includes one letter to your referring doctor, but any additional reports requested by you will result in an additional fee which is quoted based on the estimated time for completion by Dr Kamalaraj. All additional services will be quoted to you before proceeding further.
Our fees cover a comprehensive consultation with respect to your rheumatological issue with Dr. Kamalaraj and supports the sustainability of the practice.
Medicare – Yes for eligible patients, with a valid referral and Medicare card, you are likely eligible for a Medicare rebate.
Private health insurance – Private health insurance policies usually do not cover ‘outpatient’ clinic appointments. Some overseas patients do use their private traveller’s insurance to receive a portion of their consultation fee back but this is something you will need to discuss and organise yourself directly with your insurer. We can provide a receipt of your consultation to take to your insurer but are unable to provide any further assistance with this.
Yes. Dr. Kamalaraj cares for a number of patients from rural and regional Australia as well as inter-state. Whilst the initial appointment requires a face to face appointment in order to ensure a proper physical examination, follow up appointments may be offered as video (preferable) or phone Telehealth depending on clinical circumstances and only after approval by Dr. Kamalaraj.
Dr. Kamalaraj may sometimes arrange phone consultations outside of standard consultations to discuss further important information or results with you.