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Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions patients and referrers ask most often — referrals, wait times, costs and funding, what happens at procedures, and how the practice works.

Getting an appointment

Do I need a referral to see Dr Martin? Yes. A referral from a GP or specialist is required both to be seen and to claim a Medicare rebate. GP referrals are valid for 12 months, specialist referrals for 3 months. Referrals should be emailed to the practice before your appointment is confirmed.

How long will I wait for an appointment? Routine appointments are generally available within two to four weeks, varying with availability. Urgent assessment can be supported where your referring doctor requests it, and cancer pain referrals are prioritised.

Can my appointment be urgent? If your referring doctor considers your situation urgent, they can mark the referral accordingly or call the rooms on 0448 299 260. Referrals are triaged on receipt.

What should I bring to my first appointment? Your referral (if not already sent), a list of current medications and doses, any blood tests, scans or reports (or details of where they were done), your Medicare card and private health details, any WorkCover WA or ICWA claim details, and payment. Arrive 15 minutes early, and allow at least an hour in case the clinic is running behind.

What happens at the first appointment? A thorough review of your pain and medical history, a physical examination, and review of any imaging — followed by a clear explanation of what Dr Martin thinks is driving your pain and a discussion of the options. A letter goes to your referring doctor. No procedure is performed on the day.

Will I get an injection at my first visit? No. If a procedure is likely to help, it is planned and booked separately at one of the private hospitals, so you have time to consider it.

Is there parking at the rooms? Yes — a one-hour free car park next to the clinic at 13 Grosvenor Road, Mount Lawley, and free street parking outside. Disabled parking is available at the front of the clinic and in the car park next to it.

Are the rooms wheelchair accessible? Yes — the rooms are fully wheelchair accessible, with disabled parking at the front of the clinic and in the adjacent car park.

I live in country WA. Do I have to travel to Perth to be seen? Not for the consultation — telehealth appointments are available for rural and remote patients. Ask for one when booking. If a procedure is planned, it is performed at one of the Perth private hospitals.

What if I need to cancel? Please call at least one full working day ahead. A fee may apply where less than 24 hours' notice is given.

Costs and funding

How much does a consultation cost? Consultations are billed privately with a Medicare rebate where applicable, and a gap applies. A fee schedule — the fee, the rebate and the expected gap — is supplied on booking, prior to your consultation. Payment is expected on the day by EFTPOS, debit or credit card.

Will I pay a gap for a procedure in hospital? In most cases, no. Dr Martin is a no-gap provider with all major health funds for procedures in private hospital, provided your policy covers pain management procedures (generally Bronze hospital cover or above). Your policy excess may apply to your first admission of the year, and the anaesthetist bills separately — Dr Martin works with no-gap anaesthetists except in exceptional circumstances.

What about procedures done in the clinic rather than hospital? Clinic-based procedures are charged privately and will incur a gap — a Medicare rebate applies where an item number exists, but health-fund no-gap arrangements only cover procedures performed in hospital. A fee schedule is supplied on booking, prior to your consultation.

Which health funds are accepted? All major private health funds. Check with your fund that your policy covers pain management procedures in a private hospital.

Do you see WorkCover or motor vehicle accident patients? Yes — WorkCover WA and Insurance Commission of WA (ICWA) claims are accepted, as are DVA patients. Tell the practice about your claim when booking: insurer approval must be confirmed before your appointment and generally takes around two weeks. A claim not disclosed until the day means paying in full and seeking reimbursement.

Do you see NDIS patients? No — the practice does not see patients under NDIS funding arrangements.

Are any treatments not covered by Medicare? A small number of treatments have no Medicare item number — including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid injections — and are an out-of-pocket cost, excluded from no-gap arrangements. Any such cost is put in writing before you decide.

Procedures

Where are procedures performed? At Hollywood Private Hospital, St John of God Subiaco Hospital and the Mount Hospital. Most procedures can be offered at any of these; a few are hospital-specific due to equipment or staffing, confirmed at booking.

Do injections hurt? The skin is numbed first, and most people describe pressure rather than pain. Light sedation is available for longer procedures such as radiofrequency treatment.

Can I drive home after a procedure? No — for hospital procedures you cannot drive until 24 hours afterwards because of the anaesthetic. Arrange transport home; the hospital will not discharge you to drive yourself. For minor rooms-based procedures without sedation, you'll be advised on the day.

Do I need to fast before a procedure? For hospital procedures, yes — no food for 6 hours beforehand; water only (up to 200 ml per hour) until 2 hours before. Keep taking your usual medications with a sip of water — but if you take blood-thinning medication, or diabetes or weight-loss injections, contact the practice for specific advice well before the day.

How long will I be at the hospital? Procedures are day cases — expect four to six hours in total, covering admission, the procedure, recovery and discharge. An overnight stay is generally not required.

Why might I have a diagnostic block before radiofrequency treatment? Numbing a nerve with local anaesthetic tests whether it is carrying your pain — a clear response makes longer-lasting radiofrequency treatment more likely to help, and blocks may be repeated to improve diagnostic confidence. Whether and how blocks are used is decided individually.

What types of radiofrequency treatment are offered? Rhizotomy and radiofrequency treatments include thermal (conventional) radiofrequency, pulsed radiofrequency — short, low-temperature electrical impulses — and cryoablation, which uses extreme cold. The appropriate technique depends on the nerve being treated and your situation.

Are pain procedures safe? Pain procedures are generally safe and well tolerated, but all procedures carry risks. The specific risks relevant to you and your procedure are discussed with you, and written information provided, before you decide to proceed.

How long until I feel the benefit of a procedure? Gradually — often over days to weeks, and the full effect may take several weeks. A temporary pain flare in the first days is normal. For diagnostic blocks, the hours immediately afterwards are the result: keep a pain diary. You'll receive written instructions specific to your procedure.

How long does the relief last? It varies by procedure and person. Blocks vary — the local anaesthetic gives relief for hours, and where anti-inflammatory medication is included the benefit often lasts weeks to months. Radiofrequency treatment typically gives months of relief, commonly six to twelve, and can be repeated as nerves regenerate. Anti-inflammatory injections vary from weeks to months. Dr Martin will give you a realistic expectation for your situation rather than a headline figure.

What if a procedure doesn't work? A negative result is information — it usually means that structure wasn't the pain source, and the assessment redirects rather than repeats. Several pages on this site describe when a procedure is not the right answer; being clear about that is part of honest care.

What are the warning signs after a procedure? Signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, discharge), fever, new or worsening weakness or numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control need emergency assessment — go to an emergency department. Every patient receives written post-procedure instructions; if your recovery isn't following them, or anything concerns you, contact the practice.

About the practice

What is a pain medicine physician? A specialist doctor who assesses and treats pain that has persisted beyond expected healing or hasn't responded to usual treatment. Dr Martin is also a rehabilitation physician — the combination means procedures and rehabilitation are planned together rather than separately.

What makes a pain and rehabilitation physician different? Pain medicine asks what is generating the pain and what can reduce it; rehabilitation medicine asks what function has been lost and how to rebuild it. Dr Martin holds fellowships in both (FFPMANZCA and FAFRM RACP), which shapes how treatment plans are built — a procedure creates a window, and the rehabilitation plan uses it.

Will Dr Martin take over prescribing my pain medication? In the great majority of cases prescribing stays with your GP. Dr Martin's role is assessment, a clear written plan — including medication review where needed — and procedural treatment where indicated.

My scans are normal but I'm still in pain. Is it worth being seen? Yes. Imaging correlates poorly with pain — some of the most treatable pain sources, such as the facet joints, don't show on scans and are identified with diagnostic blocks instead. A normal scan is common in people referred here.

I've already seen other specialists. Can I still be referred? Yes — many patients arrive after years of previous treatment. Previous opinions, imaging and treatment responses are all useful information, so bring them.

My condition isn't listed on this site. Do you still see it? Possibly — the conditions pages cover the most common referrals, not everything. Ask your GP to outline the problem in a referral, or call the rooms to check before referring.

This page provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. In a medical emergency, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr Chris Martin, Consultant Pain and Rehabilitation Physician.