Patient Info

Please see below for a selection of Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have any other questions or queries please contact the rooms.

Do I need a referral for my appointment? 

Yes. A referral from your GP or specialist is required for your appointment. 

This ensures you can claim your Medicare rebate and to keep your GP updated. Your GP referral will be valid for 12 months, whilst a specialist referral will be only valid for 3 months. 

What should I bring to my appointment?

Please bring the following to your appointment: 

  • Your GP referral, Medicare card, and private health insurance details. 
  • Results of any blood tests, ultrasounds, or other imaging studies requested by your GP. Please ask your GP to email or fax these to us in advance, or bring copies with you. 
  • Any previous operation reports or hospital discharge summaries relevant to your condition. 
  • A current list of your regular medications.

Should I re-schedule if I am bleeding on my appointment/surgery day? 

If you experience any bleeding prior to your appointment/procedure date, please contact us as these may need to be rescheduled. We will do our best to accommodate you promptly. If you are bleeding heavily upon arrival, please inform the reception staff immediately. 

What if I am unable to attend my appointment? 

You will receive a reminder prior to your appointment date. If you are no longer able to attend your appointment, please call the practice at your earliest convenience. A cancellation fee may be charged if you fail to attend your appointment. 

What if I am running late to my appointment? 

If you are running late, please contact the practice as early as possible. We will do our best to accommodate you, either by adjusting your appointment time or rescheduling at your convenience. 

Is there a fee payable for the consultation?

Yes, a fee will apply for your consultation and any procedures performed on the day (e.g.
Vulval biopsy, Mirena insertion etc).
For pessary insertion for management of prolapse or incontinence, there will be an additional charge to cover the cost of the pessary item.
While Medicare rebates may be available for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card, they do not cover the full cost of specialist medical care. Please note that private health insurance does not cover outpatient consultations. For further information or details about fees for specific in-room procedures, please contact our practice. 

Do I need private health insurance to see Dr Karmakar? 

Private health insurance is not required for a consultation. If you are not covered by private health insurance, patients eligible for Medicare may be able to have surgery through the public hospital system. 

What happens if I need to have surgery? 

Dr Karmakar’s team will be in touch with information relating to your surgery. This includes quotes, Informed Financial Consent Forms and with details of your procedure date, time and location. 

What payment methods are accepted by the practice? 

Our preferred method of payment is credit card or EFTPOS. We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. We also accept bank transfers and cash payments. 

Is there parking at/close to the practice? 

North Park Private Hospital provides onsite parking via Greenhills Road. The first 30 minutes are free then the fees start from $9 for up to an hour. Street parking is also available but please take note of council restrictions. 

John Fawkner Private Hospital provides paid on-site parking starting for $3.00 for one hour and can be accessed from Moreland Road. 

What public transport options are there? 

North Park Private Hospital: 

Stop 68 of tram line 86 is located in front of the hospital. Bus lines 566 and 382 also have stops in front of the hospital on Plenty Road. 

John Fawkner Private Hospital: 

The Moreland train station and stop 133 of Tram line 6 are both a short 4-minute walk. Bus line 510 stops right outside the hospital on Moreland Road. 

What is the practice’s cancellation policy? 

You will receive a confirmation SMS reminder from our practice prior to your appointment. If you do not have a mobile phone number on file we will email you to confirm. Please note, calls and SMSs may come from a private number. If we do not receive an SMS reply or verbal confirmation by 9.00am the working day prior to your appointment, your appointment may be cancelled to allow access to patients from our waitlist. You will then need to call us to reschedule to the next available appointment. Please be aware the fees for cancellations within 24 hours of your appointment and no-shows apply if you fail to attend on the day and further appointments may not be re-booked until these cancellation fees are settled. 

How can I book an appointment with Dr Karmakar? 

To book an appointment, you can contact the practice via phone on 03 9088 6950. 

What languages does Dr Karmakar speak? 

Dr Karmakar is fluent in English, Hindi, and Bengali, allowing him to effectively communicate with a diverse patient population. 

What is the process for referrals? 

Referrals can be submitted by your GP or specialist via email, fax, or HealthLink. Alternatively, you can submit your referral via email on reception@karmakarog.com. Your referral will then be triaged by the doctor and you will be contacted by our reception staff to schedule a consultation. 

Are telehealth consultations available?

Please contact the clinic directly to inquire about the availability of telehealth consultations. 

Does Dr Karmakar offer private obstetrics services or appointments? 

No, Dr Karmakar does not provide private obstetrics services.