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International Patient Services Unit
For more than 40 years, The Wesley Hospital has been providing acute healthcare services to patients living outside Australia.
Our International Patient Services Unit arranges and co-ordinates clinical care for international patients. The unit specialises in medical transfers, whether an emergency or planned, and can co-ordinate all arrangements as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.
As part of The Wesley Hospital, the unit is uniquely positioned to identify the most appropriate medical practitioner for your condition and co-ordinate all arrangements at short notice.
The Wesley International Patient Services Unit is available to assist non-Australian citizens who are currently residing outside Australia.
Our patient services include:
- Medical treatment requiring emergency or planned transfer to Australia.
- Co-ordination and scheduling of medical, diagnostic and other appointments.
- Ambulance transfer from airport where necessary.
- Interpreter services.
- Assistance applying for or extending an Australian entry visa.
- Accommodation arrangements for family and support people.
- Personal support.
- Management of financial arrangements. We provide an estimate of costs prior to admission to The Wesley Hospital and make all service provider payments on your behalf, including complete accounting to your insurer or employer.
- Co-ordination of evacuation arrangements in conjunction with medical evacuation and insurance organisations.
Where necessary, we can assist in co-ordinating and scheduling a clinical assessment prior to arrival in Australia. This will help to determine which specialist consultations and diagnostic tests should be scheduled during a patient’s visit. We have several Patient Co-ordinators to assist patients from outside Australia to access acute healthcare services, with experts on hand who can help you with any questions or needs you may have.
How to become an international patient at the Wesley
To become an international patient at The Wesley Hospital, please request that your own doctor contact our International Patient Services Unit via the contact details below. This is our preferred method if an insurance company will be paying for your treatment, as your insurer will require a cost estimate prior to your departure for Australia. The unit can arrange this cost estimate, but to do so requires a referral and medical report from your doctor, including any radiology (X-ray, MRI, CT scan, Ultrasound) or pathology reports.
Travel and visa assistance
The International Patient Services Unit can assist you to obtain the necessary visas to enter Australia for medical treatment. The hospital will supply you with a Visa acceptance letter addressed to the Australian High Commission in your country to be accompanied with your visa application. The letter will assist your application for an Australian entry or medical visa.
If your episode of care is expected to continue beyond the expiry date or your visa, the Wesley will assist in your application for an extension of your visa.
Interpreting services
English is the language by which healthcare is delivered in Australia. Where necessary, our International Patient Services Unit can arrange interpreters to ensure your medical treatment proceeds smoothly.
If a local interpreter cannot be found, Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) National can be used. The Department of Home Affairs provides the TIS National service for people who do not speak English.
TIS National has more than 50 years’ experience in language services, with access to more than 3,000 contracted interpreters across Australia, speaking more than 160 languages.
TIS National recommends that interpreters should be used:
- To ensure accurate communication between people who have different language needs.
- Because effective professional practice requires both parties to have a clear understanding of each other.
- Because in times of crisis or stress, a person’s second language competency may decrease.
Accommodation
There are several accommodation options available for you and your loved ones during and after your stay at The Wesley Hospital. Learn more.
Enquiries
Please phone our Patient Co-ordinators on +61 7 3232 7387 | fax +61 7 3232 6242 or complete the form below.