Pilbara · coming soon
Hernia surgery for Port Hedland patients
In-person consultations in Port Hedland are coming soon. In the meantime, Port Hedland patients can see Dr Stephen Watson by telehealth from home, or in person at his Karratha visit.
In-person Port Hedland visits — coming soon
Dr Watson is in the process of arranging a regular consulting location in Port Hedland. Until that is in place, there are three straightforward options:
- Telehealth. A secure video consultation works well for most hernia assessments. Initial consultation, surgical planning, and post-operative follow-up can all be done by telehealth — see the telehealth section below.
- In-person at Karratha. Dr Watson holds approximately monthly consultations in Karratha, which is the closest visiting location to Port Hedland.
- South Perth rooms. Dr Watson's main rooms are at 21 Charles Street, South Perth — open Monday to Friday.
Port Hedland is a major Pilbara port town. A regular Port Hedland consulting location is being arranged. Until then, Port Hedland patients can see Dr Watson in person at his Karratha visit (the closest visiting town in the Pilbara), at his South Perth rooms, or by telehealth.
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 Hollywood Private Hospital in Nedlands, Perth. 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 Hollywood Private Hospital, including hospital-affiliated lodges and nearby hotels. Dr Watson's rooms can point you to options that suit 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.
For Port Hedland 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 Port Hedland patients
When will Dr Watson start in-person visits to Port Hedland?
A regular Port Hedland consulting location is being arranged. Until that starts, the closest options for Port Hedland patients are an in-person visit to Karratha (Dr Watson visits there approximately monthly), an appointment at the South Perth rooms, or a telehealth video consultation. Phone the rooms on (08) 6311 7578 for current timing.
Can I see Dr Watson by telehealth instead?
Yes. Telehealth consultations are available across all of Western Australia, including Port Hedland, and are particularly useful given the travel distance involved. Initial assessment and follow-up can both be done by video.
I work FIFO from Port Hedland — can my surgery be scheduled around my roster?
Yes. The rooms routinely arrange surgery to fall within an off-roster block so the operation and initial recovery happen in one stretch. See the return-to-work page for typical recovery times by job type.
How do I claim PATS for travel to Perth?
Port Hedland is well beyond the PATS distance threshold; most patients qualify for travel and accommodation subsidies for specialist medical visits to Perth. Your GP lodges the PATS application.
Book a Port Hedland consultation
Phone Dr Watson's Perth rooms on (08) 6311 7578 to find the next available visit date in Port Hedland, or to arrange a telehealth appointment.