Mid West · regional consultation
Hernia surgery consultations in Geraldton
If you live in Geraldton or the surrounding region and you have a hernia, you don't need to travel to Perth for your initial consultation. Dr Stephen Watson holds approximately monthly visits to Geraldton, with telehealth consultations available between visits.
About Dr Watson's Geraldton visits
- Visits Geraldton approximately monthly
- In-person consultation, examination, and surgical planning
- Consulting location: [TO CONFIRM — consulting suite address to be provided]
- How to book: phone the Perth rooms on (08) 6311 7578 or use the contact form
Geraldton is the major Mid West centre. Many Mid West patients are eligible for the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) for travel to Perth for surgery. Your GP can lodge a PATS application.
Prefer to consult from home? Telehealth is available
Dr Watson offers telehealth consultations across all of Western Australia. If you can't make a face-to-face appointment date, or you prefer to consult from home, a video consultation works equally well for most hernia assessments. Initial consultation, surgical planning, and post-operative follow-up can all be done by telehealth.
What happens at your consultation
Same process as a Perth consultation. Dr Watson reviews you, examines the hernia where appropriate, discusses surgical options and realistic recovery, and writes to your GP and (if relevant) your WorkCover insurer or case manager. There is time to discuss the realistic trade-offs and to answer questions.
Where will my surgery be performed?
Surgery is performed at a Perth private hospital — Hollywood Private, St John of God Murdoch, St John of God Subiaco, The Mount, or Bethesda. Country patients typically travel to Perth for one to three days for the procedure and initial recovery, then follow up locally with Dr Watson in person at his next regional visit, or by telehealth.
Travel and accommodation
Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS)
Many country WA patients are eligible for assistance with travel and accommodation costs through the WA Health Patient Assisted Travel Scheme. PATS subsidises specialist medical travel for eligible regional patients. Eligibility depends on your distance from a specialist service and your medical need. Your GP can lodge a PATS application — see the WA Health PATS information page for current eligibility and forms.
Accommodation
A range of patient-friendly accommodation is available near the Perth private hospitals, including hospital-affiliated lodges and nearby hotels. Dr Watson's rooms can point you to options that suit your hospital and your circumstances.
Hernia conditions Dr Watson treats
Dr Watson sees and operates on all common adult hernia types: inguinal, umbilical and small ventral, incisional, femoral, and hiatus hernia. He also has particular experience with reflux and hiatus hernia after previous bariatric surgery — a common but undertreated problem in regional WA.
For Geraldton WorkCover patients
Dr Watson accepts WorkCover referrals from any WA region. The treating-surgeon pathway is the same regardless of your home town. See the WorkCover hernia surgery page for the pathway from injury to surgery to return to work.
Common questions from Geraldton patients
How often does Dr Watson visit Geraldton?
Approximately monthly. Phone the Perth rooms on (08) 6311 7578 for the next available date, or use the contact form.
Can I consult by telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth consultations work well for hernia assessment and are available between regional visits across all of Western Australia.
How do I claim PATS for travel to Perth?
Geraldton and the surrounding Mid West region are typically within PATS eligibility for specialist medical travel. Your GP lodges the PATS application; the scheme subsidises travel and, in some cases, accommodation. See the WA Health PATS page for current eligibility.
Book a Geraldton consultation
Phone Dr Watson's Perth rooms on (08) 6311 7578 to find the next available visit date in Geraldton, or to arrange a telehealth appointment.