For Patients

Your First Appointment

Once your GP has referred you to Dr Kiberu, our team will contact you within 1 business day to schedule your initial consultation at Suite 6, St John of God Hospital, Bunbury.

What to Bring

  • Your GP's referral letter
  • All recent pathology and laboratory results
  • Copies of recent imaging reports (CT, PET, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound)
  • A complete list of all current medications, including supplements
  • Your Medicare card
  • Private health insurance card (if applicable)
  • A support person — a family member or trusted friend is welcome

What to Expect at Your First Consultation

  • Your first appointment is typically 45–60 minutes
  • Dr Kiberu will take a full medical and cancer history
  • He will review all available pathology, imaging and specialist reports
  • A personalised management plan will be discussed
  • You are encouraged to bring a written list of questions and concerns
  • If further investigations are required, these will be arranged
  • A detailed letter will be sent to your GP following the consultation

Investigations Checklist

Dr Kiberu may request the following investigations before or after your appointment. Please arrange these promptly to ensure your care is not delayed.

PET/CT Scan
Ultrasound
MRI
X-Ray
Mammogram
Echocardiogram
New Referral
Blood Tests

Cancellations & Appointments

Contact Rooms

Suite 6, St John of God Hospital
Bunbury WA 6230

+61 8 97221684

admin@geriesoncology.com

HOURS

Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Patient Resources

Billing Information

COGMO is a private billing practice. A gap fee applies to all consultations. Eligible patients may claim a Medicare rebate. Payment is due on the day of consultation.

Please contact our rooms to discuss billing prior to your appointment if you have concerns.

Welcome to Your Oncology Care Team

Next Steps & Action Checklist for New Patients

A Quick Note Before You Begin:

A new diagnosis comes with a lot of information. You do not have to do everything on this list today. Take it one step, one day, and one task at a time. We are here to guide you through every part of this journey.

Phase 1: Immediate Next Steps for Your Treatment

Treatment Scheduling (Handled by Us)

Our clinic will liaise directly with the hospital to schedule your upcoming oncology treatment sessions. You do not need to call the hospital to book these initial dates.

Attend Your St John of God Hospital Education Session

Before your chemotherapy or immunotherapy commences, the nursing team at St John of God Hospital will contact you to arrange a personalized Education Session (Note: This session may be conducted face-to-face or over the telephone). They will walk you through what to expect, review potential side effects, and explain where to go on treatment days.

Complete Pre-Treatment & Initial Blood Tests (Crucial Step)

You have been provided with a pathology request form from your oncologist.

  • Ongoing Treatment Timing: Please ensure you visit a pathology clinic to have your blood drawn exactly 2 days before every oncology treatment. This gives our team and the hospital time to verify that your blood counts are safe for treatment to proceed.
  • Urgent / Initial Blood Tests: In some cases, we may ask you to complete blood tests as soon as possible (ASAP). These initial results allow us to accurately calculate dosing for your medications or determine if a recommended treatment option will be both effective and safe for you without causing adverse reactions.

Phase 2: Understanding Your Care Team & Their Roles

Cancer care involves a team of healthcare professionals working together. Knowing who to turn to for specific needs helps ensure your care runs smoothly:

Your Medical Oncologist (Our Practice)

Role: Leads and oversees all oncology-specific decisions—including diagnosis, treatment planning (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy), monitoring treatment response, and managing cancer-related symptoms or side effects.

St John of God Hospital Oncology Nurses

Role: Provide specialized patient education prior to treatment commencing, and safely administer and manage the delivery of your oncology medications/infusions within the day oncology unit.

Your General Practitioner (GP)

Role: Remains your primary care provider for all non-cancer medical issues, routine health checks, and general daily health needs.
Important: Your GP handles all standard non-oncology medication refills/script requirements and general health concerns.

Surgical & Other Medical Specialists

Role: Depending on your diagnosis, you may see specialists such as surgeons, radiation oncologists, haematologists, or palliative care specialists for targeted aspects of your care.

WACHS Cancer Nurse Navigator (Separate to Our Practice)

Role: Assists country/regional patients in navigating the wider healthcare system. They act as a central guide to coordinate appointments, connect you with community support, and assist with regional travel or logistics (e.g., PATS). (Note: While they work closely with regional health services, they are independent of our specific clinic practice.)

Phase 3: Billing & Financial Overview

Understanding Your Account Details
As a private specialist practice, we do not bulk bill. Our goal is to ensure you clear, transparent information about how fees work for clinic appointments versus hospital treatment days.

Outpatient Clinic Consultations

Consultations with the doctor incur a fee, with full payment required on the day of your visit. A portion of this fee is covered by Medicare and will be reimbursed directly to your bank account after payment.

Hospital Treatment Days (Oncology Unit Admissions)

Treatment Location & Funding Guarantee:
All South West patients—whether privately insured or uninsured—seen at COGMO can have their cancer treatment at the St John of God Hospital Bunbury Chemotherapy Unit (an outpatient day unit). This is facilitated through funding arrangements with your private health insurance company or the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) respectively.

Informed financial consent for these hospital treatment days is provided directly by St John of God Hospital at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Important Note on Cancelled Treatments: If your scheduled hospital treatment cannot proceed (for example, if pre-treatment blood tests indicate a delay is required), the visit is processed as a standard outpatient consultation. In this event, the standard consultation fee applies and is payable on the day.

Phase 4: Administrative & General Prep

Request an Indefinite GP Referral

Visit your GP and ask for an indefinite referral to your oncology specialist. Specialist referrals from other specialists often only last for 3 months, whereas an indefinite referral from your GP ensures your Medicare/insurance coverage for specialist visits continues seamlessly throughout your treatment without needing frequent renewals.

Identify Your Main Support Person

Decide who you want with you at appointments to take notes, ask questions, or offer support.

Set Up a 'Cancer Binder' or Folder

Keep physical or digital copies of test results, pathology reports, medication lists, and appointment summaries in one place.

Establish Your Primary Point of Contact

Save our office number, triage line, and patient portal login details on your phone.
Tip: Ask your team, "Who do I call after hours if I have an urgent symptom?"

Phase 5: Preparing for Your Appointments

Understand Chemotherapy Review Appointments

Chemotherapy reviews are simple, brief 10-minute appointments. Their sole purpose is to review your latest pathology (blood work) and visually confirm that you are safe and well to proceed with your scheduled cancer treatment.

Write Down Your Questions in Advance

Keep a running list on your phone or a notepad so you don't forget what to ask during short visits.

Gather Your Health History

Bring an updated list of all current prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements.

Clarify Next Steps Before Leaving the Clinic

Make sure you know what the next appointment/scan is, when it needs to happen, and who is scheduling it.

Phase 6: Financial & Administrative Support

Contact Your Health Insurance Provider

Confirm coverage details, copays, and whether prior authorizations are needed for upcoming treatments or scans.

Ask About Financial Navigation & Travel Support

Speak with our clinic’s social worker or financial counselor about copay assistance, grants, or travel support schemes (e.g., PATS for regional patients).

Work & Time-Off Planning (If Applicable)

Look into medical leave, short-term disability, or flexible work arrangements if needed.

Phase 7: Daily Health & Well-Being

Understand Emergency Symptoms

Know which symptoms (e.g., a fever over 100.4°F/38°C, sudden shortness of breath) require immediate medical attention.

Prioritize Rest and Nutrition

Ask your team if you have any dietary restrictions or if a referral to an oncology dietitian would be helpful.

Consider Emotional and Mental Health Support

Look into support groups, counseling, or peer-matching programs. Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.

Phase 8: Legal & Advanced Planning (Recommended for All Patients)

Why do this now?
Thinking about legal forms can feel heavy, but setting them up early is simply a safety net. Doing this while you are feeling well and thinking clearly ensures your voice stays at the center of your care, takes the guesswork off your family’s shoulders, and prevents sudden administrative hurdles.

Appoint a Medical Power of Attorney / Substitute Decision-Maker

  • What it is: A formal document where you choose a trusted person (or people) to make medical decisions on your behalf.
  • When it comes into play: Only if you ever become temporarily or permanently unable to speak or make decisions for yourself—such as if you are under sedation during a procedure, critically unwell, or confused due to medication. As long as you can make your own choices, you remain in full control.

Complete an Advance Care Directive / Living Will

  • What it is: A written record of your personal values, care preferences, and treatments you would or would not want (such as life-prolonging treatments or resuscitation preferences).
  • When it comes into play: In critical or emergency medical situations where doctors need to know your preferences but you are unable to tell them. It gives your family and care team clear guidance so they don’t have to make tough guesses on your behalf.

Set Up an Enduring Power of Attorney for Financial/Legal Matters

  • What it is: A separate document that allows a trusted individual to manage your financial obligations (like paying bills, handling bank accounts, or managing insurance).
  • When it comes into play: Whenever you want them to step in—whether that's temporarily while you are resting during intense treatment, or long-term if managing daily admin becomes too tiring.

Review or Update Your Will

  • What it is: A legal document stating how you want your assets and personal belongings distributed.
  • When it comes into play: Far down the road, to ensure your estate and any dependent arrangements are handled smoothly according to your wishes.

Important Contacts Quick-Sheet

Contact / Role Phone Number / Details
Oncology Clinic Main Line: +61 8 97221684
24/7 Triage / After-Hours Line: __________________________________
St John of God Hospital Chemotherapy Unit: __________________________________
Your General Practitioner (GP): __________________________________
WACHS Cancer Nurse Navigator: __________________________________
Patient Portal Website: __________________________________

Have questions?

Our friendly team is here to help. Contact us during business hours.

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